Pro 19:1
Here see,
1. What will be the credit and comfort of a poor man, and make him more excellent than his neighbour, though his poverty may expose him to contempt and may dispirit him.
2. What will be the shame of a rich man, notwithstanding all his pomp.
Pro 19:2
Two things are here declared to be of bad consequence:-
1. Ignorance: To be without the knowledge of the soul is not good, so some read it.
2. Rashness. He that hastes with his feet (that does things inconsiderately and with precipitation, and will not take time to ponder the path of his feet) sins; he cannot but often miss the mark and take many a false step, which those prevent that consider their ways. As good not know as not consider.
Pro 19:3
We have here two instances of men's folly:-
1. That they bring themselves into straits and troubles, and run themselves a-ground, and embarrass themselves: The foolishness of man perverts his way.
2. That when they have done so they lay the blame upon God, and their hearts fret against him, as if he had done them wrong, whereas really they wrong themselves.
Pro 19:4
Here,
1. We may see how strong men's love of money is, that they will love any man, how undeserving soever he be otherwise, if he has but a deal of money and is free with it, so that they may hope to be the better for it.
2. We may see how weak men's love of one another is.
Pro 19:5
Here we have,
1. The sins threatened-bearing false witness in judgment and speaking lies in common conversation.
2. The threatening itself: They shall not go unpunished; they shall not escape.
Pro 19:6-7
These two verses are a comment upon v. 4, and show,
1. How those that are rich and great are courted and caressed, and have suitors and servants in abundance.
2. How those that are poor and low are slighted and despised.
Pro 19:8
Those are here encouraged,
1. That take pains to get wisdom, to get knowledge, and grace, and acquaintance with God; those that do so show that they love their own souls, and will be found to have done themselves the greatest kindness imaginable.
2. That take care to keep it when they have got it; it is health, and wealth, and honour, and all, to the soul, and therefore he that keeps understanding, as he shows that he loves his own soul, so he shall certainly find good, all good.
Pro 19:9
Here is,
1. A repetition of what was said before (v. 5), for we have need to be again and again warned of the danger of the sin of lying and false-witness-bearing, since nothing is of more fatal consequence.
2. An addition to it in one word; there it was said, He that speaks lies shall not escape, and intimated that he shall be punished.
Pro 19:10
Note,
1. Pleasure and liberty ill become a fool: Delight is not seemly for such a one.
2. Power and honour ill become a man of a servile spirit.
Pro 19:11
A wise man will observe these two rules about his anger:
1. Not to be over-hasty in his resentments:
2. Not to be over-critical in his resentments.
Pro 19:12
This is to the same purport with what we had ch. 16:14, 15, and the design of it is,
1. To make kings wise and considerate in dispensing their frowns and smiles.
2. To make subjects faithful and dutiful to their princes.
Christ is a King whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion (Rev. 10:3) and his favour to his own people as the refreshing dew, Ps. 72:6.
Pro 19:13
It is an instance of the vanity of the world that we are liable to the greatest grief in those things wherein we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. It is as it proves. What greater temporal comfort can a man have than a good wife and good children? Yet,
1. A foolish son is a great affliction, and may make a man wish a thousand times he had been written childless.
2. A cross peevish wife is as great an affliction: Her contentions are continual; every day, and every hour in the day, she finds some occasion to make herself and those about her uneasy.
Pro 19:14
Note,
1. A discreet and virtuous wife is a choice gift of God's providence to a man-a wife that is prudent, in opposition to one that is contentious, v. 13.
2. It is a more valuable gift than house and riches, contributes more to the comfort and credit of a man's life and the welfare of his family, is a greater token of God's favour, and about which the divine providence is in a more especial manner conversant.
Pro 19:15
See here the evil of a sluggish slothful disposition.
1. It stupefies men, and makes them senseless, and mindless of their own affairs, as they were cast into a deep sleep, dreaming much, but doing nothing.
2. It impoverishes men and brings them to want.
Pro 19:16
Here is,
1. The happiness of those that walk circumspectly.
2. The misery of those that live at large and never mind what they do: Those that despair their ways shall die, shall perish eternally; they are in the high road to ruin.
Pro 19:17
Here is,
I. The duty of charity described. It includes two things:-
1. Compassion, which is the inward principle of charity in the heart; it is to have pity on the poor.
2. Bounty and liberality.
II. The encouragement of charity.
1. A very kind construction shall be put upon it. What is given to the poor, or done for them, God will place it to account as lent to him, lent upon interest (so the word signifies); he takes it kindly, as if it were done to himself, and he would have us take the comfort of it and to be as well pleased as ever any usurer was when he had let out a sum of money into good hands.
2. A very rich recompence shall be made for it: He will pay him again, in temporal, spiritual, and eternal blessings. Almsgiving is the surest and safest way of thriving.
Pro 19:18
Parents are here cautioned against a foolish indulgence of their children that are untoward and viciously inclined, and that discover such an ill temper of mind as is not likely to be cured but by severity.
1. Do not say that it is all in good time to correct them; no, as soon as ever there appears a corrupt disposition in them check it immediately, before it gets head, and takes root, and is hardened into a habit:
2. Do not say that it is a pity to correct them, and that, because they cry and beg to be forgiven, you cannot find in your heart to do it.
Pro 19:19
1. As we read this, it intimates, in short, that angry men never want woe.
2. It may as well be read, He that is of great wrath (meaning the child that is to be corrected and is impatient of rebuke, cries and makes a noise, even that wrath of his against the rod of correction) deserves to be punished;
Pro 19:20
Note,
1. It is well with those that are wise in their latter end, wise for their latter end, for their future state, wise for another world, that are found wise when their latter end comes, wise virgins, wise builders, wise stewards, that are wise at length, and understand the things that belong to their peace, before they be hidden from their eyes. A carnal worldling at his end shall be a fool (Jer. 17:11), but godliness will prove wisdom at last.
2. Those that would be wise in their latter end must hear counsel and receive instruction, in their beginnings must be willing to be taught and ruled, willing to be advised and reproved, when they are young. Those that would be stored in winter must gather in summer.
Pro 19:21
Here we have,
1. Men projecting. They keep their designs to themselves, but they cannot hide them from God; he knows the many devices that are in men's hearts,-devices against his counsels (as those, Ps. 2:1-3; Micah 4:11),-devices without his counsel (no regard had to his providence, as those Jam. 4:13, this and the other they will do, and not take God along with them),-devices unlike God's counsels; men are wavering in their devices, and often absurd and unjust, but God's counsels are wise and holy, steady and uniform.
2. God overruling.
Pro 19:22
Note,
1. The honour of doing good is what we may laudably be ambitious of.
2. It is far better to have a heart to do good and want ability for it than have ability for it and want a heart to it:
Pro 19:23
See what those that get by it that live in the fear of God, and always make conscience of their duty to him.
1. Safety:
2. Satisfaction:
3. True and complete happiness.
Pro 19:24
A sluggard is here exposed as a fool, for,
1. All his care is to save himself from labour and cold. See his posture: He hides his hand in his bosom, pretends he is lame and cannot work; his hands are cold, and he must warm them in his bosom; and, when they are warm there, he must keep them so. He hugs himself in his own ease and is resolved against labour and hardship. Let those work that love it; for his part he thinks there is no such fine life as sitting still and doing nothing.
2. He will not be at the pains to feed himself, an elegant hyperbole; as we say, A man is so lazy that he would not shake fire off him, so here, He cannot find in his heart to take his hand out of his bosom, no, not to put meat into his own mouth. If the law be so that those that will not labour must not eat, he will rather starve than stir. Thus his sin is his punishment, and therefore is egregious folly.
Pro 19:25
Note,
1. The punishment of scorners will be a means of good to others.
2. The reproof of wise men will be a means of good to themselves.
Pro 19:26
Here is,
1. The sin of a prodigal son.
2. The shame of a prodigal son.
Pro 19:27
This is a good caution to those that have had a good education to take heed of hearkening to those who, under pretence of instructing them, draw them off from those good principles under the influence of which they were trained up. Observe,
1. There is that which seems designed for instruction, but really tends to the destruction of young men.
2. It is the wisdom of young men to turn a deaf ear to such instructions, as the adder does to the charms that are designed to ensnare her.
Pro 19:28
Here is a description of the worst of sinners, whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil.
1. They set that at defiance which would deter and detain them from sin:
2. They are greedy, and glad of that which gives them an opportunity to sin:
Pro 19:29
Note,
1. Scorners are fools.
2. Those that scorn judgments cannot escape them, v. 28.
Here see,
1. What will be the credit and comfort of a poor man, and make him more excellent than his neighbour, though his poverty may expose him to contempt and may dispirit him.
2. What will be the shame of a rich man, notwithstanding all his pomp.
Pro 19:2
Two things are here declared to be of bad consequence:-
1. Ignorance: To be without the knowledge of the soul is not good, so some read it.
2. Rashness. He that hastes with his feet (that does things inconsiderately and with precipitation, and will not take time to ponder the path of his feet) sins; he cannot but often miss the mark and take many a false step, which those prevent that consider their ways. As good not know as not consider.
Pro 19:3
We have here two instances of men's folly:-
1. That they bring themselves into straits and troubles, and run themselves a-ground, and embarrass themselves: The foolishness of man perverts his way.
2. That when they have done so they lay the blame upon God, and their hearts fret against him, as if he had done them wrong, whereas really they wrong themselves.
Pro 19:4
Here,
1. We may see how strong men's love of money is, that they will love any man, how undeserving soever he be otherwise, if he has but a deal of money and is free with it, so that they may hope to be the better for it.
2. We may see how weak men's love of one another is.
Pro 19:5
Here we have,
1. The sins threatened-bearing false witness in judgment and speaking lies in common conversation.
2. The threatening itself: They shall not go unpunished; they shall not escape.
Pro 19:6-7
These two verses are a comment upon v. 4, and show,
1. How those that are rich and great are courted and caressed, and have suitors and servants in abundance.
2. How those that are poor and low are slighted and despised.
Pro 19:8
Those are here encouraged,
1. That take pains to get wisdom, to get knowledge, and grace, and acquaintance with God; those that do so show that they love their own souls, and will be found to have done themselves the greatest kindness imaginable.
2. That take care to keep it when they have got it; it is health, and wealth, and honour, and all, to the soul, and therefore he that keeps understanding, as he shows that he loves his own soul, so he shall certainly find good, all good.
Pro 19:9
Here is,
1. A repetition of what was said before (v. 5), for we have need to be again and again warned of the danger of the sin of lying and false-witness-bearing, since nothing is of more fatal consequence.
2. An addition to it in one word; there it was said, He that speaks lies shall not escape, and intimated that he shall be punished.
Pro 19:10
Note,
1. Pleasure and liberty ill become a fool: Delight is not seemly for such a one.
2. Power and honour ill become a man of a servile spirit.
Pro 19:11
A wise man will observe these two rules about his anger:
1. Not to be over-hasty in his resentments:
2. Not to be over-critical in his resentments.
Pro 19:12
This is to the same purport with what we had ch. 16:14, 15, and the design of it is,
1. To make kings wise and considerate in dispensing their frowns and smiles.
2. To make subjects faithful and dutiful to their princes.
Christ is a King whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion (Rev. 10:3) and his favour to his own people as the refreshing dew, Ps. 72:6.
Pro 19:13
It is an instance of the vanity of the world that we are liable to the greatest grief in those things wherein we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. It is as it proves. What greater temporal comfort can a man have than a good wife and good children? Yet,
1. A foolish son is a great affliction, and may make a man wish a thousand times he had been written childless.
2. A cross peevish wife is as great an affliction: Her contentions are continual; every day, and every hour in the day, she finds some occasion to make herself and those about her uneasy.
Pro 19:14
Note,
1. A discreet and virtuous wife is a choice gift of God's providence to a man-a wife that is prudent, in opposition to one that is contentious, v. 13.
2. It is a more valuable gift than house and riches, contributes more to the comfort and credit of a man's life and the welfare of his family, is a greater token of God's favour, and about which the divine providence is in a more especial manner conversant.
Pro 19:15
See here the evil of a sluggish slothful disposition.
1. It stupefies men, and makes them senseless, and mindless of their own affairs, as they were cast into a deep sleep, dreaming much, but doing nothing.
2. It impoverishes men and brings them to want.
Pro 19:16
Here is,
1. The happiness of those that walk circumspectly.
2. The misery of those that live at large and never mind what they do: Those that despair their ways shall die, shall perish eternally; they are in the high road to ruin.
Pro 19:17
Here is,
I. The duty of charity described. It includes two things:-
1. Compassion, which is the inward principle of charity in the heart; it is to have pity on the poor.
2. Bounty and liberality.
II. The encouragement of charity.
1. A very kind construction shall be put upon it. What is given to the poor, or done for them, God will place it to account as lent to him, lent upon interest (so the word signifies); he takes it kindly, as if it were done to himself, and he would have us take the comfort of it and to be as well pleased as ever any usurer was when he had let out a sum of money into good hands.
2. A very rich recompence shall be made for it: He will pay him again, in temporal, spiritual, and eternal blessings. Almsgiving is the surest and safest way of thriving.
Pro 19:18
Parents are here cautioned against a foolish indulgence of their children that are untoward and viciously inclined, and that discover such an ill temper of mind as is not likely to be cured but by severity.
1. Do not say that it is all in good time to correct them; no, as soon as ever there appears a corrupt disposition in them check it immediately, before it gets head, and takes root, and is hardened into a habit:
2. Do not say that it is a pity to correct them, and that, because they cry and beg to be forgiven, you cannot find in your heart to do it.
Pro 19:19
1. As we read this, it intimates, in short, that angry men never want woe.
2. It may as well be read, He that is of great wrath (meaning the child that is to be corrected and is impatient of rebuke, cries and makes a noise, even that wrath of his against the rod of correction) deserves to be punished;
Pro 19:20
Note,
1. It is well with those that are wise in their latter end, wise for their latter end, for their future state, wise for another world, that are found wise when their latter end comes, wise virgins, wise builders, wise stewards, that are wise at length, and understand the things that belong to their peace, before they be hidden from their eyes. A carnal worldling at his end shall be a fool (Jer. 17:11), but godliness will prove wisdom at last.
2. Those that would be wise in their latter end must hear counsel and receive instruction, in their beginnings must be willing to be taught and ruled, willing to be advised and reproved, when they are young. Those that would be stored in winter must gather in summer.
Pro 19:21
Here we have,
1. Men projecting. They keep their designs to themselves, but they cannot hide them from God; he knows the many devices that are in men's hearts,-devices against his counsels (as those, Ps. 2:1-3; Micah 4:11),-devices without his counsel (no regard had to his providence, as those Jam. 4:13, this and the other they will do, and not take God along with them),-devices unlike God's counsels; men are wavering in their devices, and often absurd and unjust, but God's counsels are wise and holy, steady and uniform.
2. God overruling.
Pro 19:22
Note,
1. The honour of doing good is what we may laudably be ambitious of.
2. It is far better to have a heart to do good and want ability for it than have ability for it and want a heart to it:
Pro 19:23
See what those that get by it that live in the fear of God, and always make conscience of their duty to him.
1. Safety:
2. Satisfaction:
3. True and complete happiness.
Pro 19:24
A sluggard is here exposed as a fool, for,
1. All his care is to save himself from labour and cold. See his posture: He hides his hand in his bosom, pretends he is lame and cannot work; his hands are cold, and he must warm them in his bosom; and, when they are warm there, he must keep them so. He hugs himself in his own ease and is resolved against labour and hardship. Let those work that love it; for his part he thinks there is no such fine life as sitting still and doing nothing.
2. He will not be at the pains to feed himself, an elegant hyperbole; as we say, A man is so lazy that he would not shake fire off him, so here, He cannot find in his heart to take his hand out of his bosom, no, not to put meat into his own mouth. If the law be so that those that will not labour must not eat, he will rather starve than stir. Thus his sin is his punishment, and therefore is egregious folly.
Pro 19:25
Note,
1. The punishment of scorners will be a means of good to others.
2. The reproof of wise men will be a means of good to themselves.
Pro 19:26
Here is,
1. The sin of a prodigal son.
2. The shame of a prodigal son.
Pro 19:27
This is a good caution to those that have had a good education to take heed of hearkening to those who, under pretence of instructing them, draw them off from those good principles under the influence of which they were trained up. Observe,
1. There is that which seems designed for instruction, but really tends to the destruction of young men.
2. It is the wisdom of young men to turn a deaf ear to such instructions, as the adder does to the charms that are designed to ensnare her.
Pro 19:28
Here is a description of the worst of sinners, whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil.
1. They set that at defiance which would deter and detain them from sin:
2. They are greedy, and glad of that which gives them an opportunity to sin:
Pro 19:29
Note,
1. Scorners are fools.
2. Those that scorn judgments cannot escape them, v. 28.
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