Proverbs 14:8-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:9

The sadness of sin It is foolish enough to use the words "sin" and "sinner" in the light and flippant way in which they are frequently employed. But to "make a mock at sin" itself, to treat otherwise than seriously the fact and forces of sin, is folly indeed. For sin is— I. THE SADDEST AND STERNEST FACT IN ALL THE UNIVERSE OF GOD . It is the ultimate cause of all the disorder, misery, ruin, and death that are to be found beneath any sky. There is no curse or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:8

Proverbs 14:8. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way It consists not in vain speculations, nor in a curious prying into other men’s matters, much less in subtle arts of deceiving others, but in a diligent study of his own duty, and of the way to true and eternal happiness; but the folly of fools is deceit The wit of ungodly men, which, though they account it their wisdom, is really their folly, is employed only in finding out ways of overreaching and deceiving others, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:9

Proverbs 14:9. Fools make a mock at sin Wicked men, here meant by fools, please and divert themselves with their own and other men’s sins, which is a high offence to God and all good men. Or, as others render the clause, excuse, or cover sin; they sin against God or men, and then justify or extenuate their sins, which is to double the iniquity. Possibly the Hebrew of this clause, אולים יליצ אשׁם , may be rendered, Sin deludes, or makes a mock of, fools, or sinners; that is, exposes... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-35

Hidden feelings and motives (14:1-35)Wisdom builds, but folly destroys. People’s actions reveal their attitude to God (14:1-2). The wisdom of their speech and their commitment to hard work are among the things that determine whether they progress or come to ruin (3-5). Those who think they know everything can never become truly wise and therefore can never have right discernment in the moral issues of life (6-8).Good people may prosper and evil people may suffer loss, but outward appearances do... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 14:8

wisdom. Hebrew. chokma. See note on Proverbs 1:2 . the prudent = a prudent one. See note on "subtil", Genesis 3:1 . is to understand. Not to vainly speculate about it, or to pry into the ways of others. deceit = lying. Hebrew. ramah. See note on Proverbs 11:18 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 14:9

make a mock. The verb is singular, and probably the plural "fools" means "A great fool makes a mock", &c. sin = guilt. The proper name for the trespass offering. Hebrew. 'asham ( App-44 .) Illustrations: the antediluvians (Luke 17:26 , Luke 17:27 ; 1 Peter 3:20 ); Abner (2 Samuel 2:14-17 ); Haman (Esther 3:13-15 . Est 29:2 ); the Jews (Isaiah 22:13 ). the righteous = upright ones. favour. Those who offer the trespass offering, experience the Divine favour. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 14:8

"The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.""Shrewd men are wise in grasping their affairs, but the folly of a fool leads him astray."[9]The first clause here is the Hebrew counterpart of the Greek, "Know thy way," or "Know thyself." "The highest wisdom is for a man to know his own way. The fool, on the other hand, whose specialty is that of deceiving others, is (in the second clause) led astray, because he has deceived himself"![10] read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 14:9

"A trespass-offering mocketh fools; But among the upright there is good will.""A trespass-offering (or any kind of worship) mocks all worshippers who are willfully wicked. Expecting God's favor, they do not get it."[11] In the second clause, the American Standard Version marginal reference changes `there is good will' to `there is favor of God.' read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 14:8

Proverbs 14:8. The wisdom of the prudent— Lord Bacon renders this verse thus: A wise man is wary of his way; a cunning fool seeks evasion. There be two sorts of wisdom, says he; the one true and sound, the other counterfeit and false; which last Solomon hesitates not to call folly. He who applies himself to the former takes heed to his own ways and footings; foreseeing dangers, studying remedies, using the assistance of good men, and fortifying himself against the wicked: wary how he enters... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 14:9

Proverbs 14:9. Fools make a mock at sin— Or, according to others, Fools excuse or palliate sin. Houbigant reads the verses The dwelling of fools is guilt, of the just is favour. read more

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