A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom - Is too lazy to feed himself, If he dip his hand once in the dish, he is too lazy to put it in a second time. It is a strange case that a man, through his excessive slothfulness, would rather starve than put himself to the trouble to eat. read more
The true prudence I. IN THE PARENTAL RELATION . ( Proverbs 19:18 .) 1 . The necessity of discipline. The exuberance of youth needs the hand of the pruner; the wildness of the colt must be early tamed, or never. Weak indulgence is the worst unkindness to children. 2 . The unwisdom of excessive severity. Cruelty is not discipline; too great sharpness is as bed as the other extreme. Children are thus made base, induced to take up with bad company, and to surfeit and run... read more
(Comp. Proverbs 8:10 ; Proverbs 12:15 .) The Septuagint directs the maxim to children, "Hear, O son, the instruction of thy father." That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. Wisdom gathered and digested in youth is seen in the prudence and intelligence of manhood and old age. Job 8:7 , "Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase." Ecclesiasticus 25:6, "O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour! Much... read more
Ready at the end The wise man always shows his wisdom by looking well before him. It is the sure mark of a fool to content himself with the immediate present. We do not wonder that proverbs should deal much with the future. "Passion and Patience" is the picture which is always being exhibited before the eyes of men. I. THE NEED OF READINESS AT THE END . "How shall we enjoy the present time?" asks one; "How shall we make ready for the end?" asks another and a wiser soul.... read more
The immutability of the counsel of God is contrasted with the shifting, fluctuating purposes of man (comp. Proverbs 16:1 , Proverbs 16:9 ; Numbers 23:19 ; Malachi 3:6 ). Aben Ezra connects this verse with the preceding, as though it gave the reason for the advice contained therein. But it is most natural to take the maxim in a general sense, as above Wis. 9:14, "The thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain." The counsel of the Lord, that shall stand ; ... read more
The mind of man and the mind of God Here is a contrast which we do well to consider. Between our human spiritual nature and that of the Divine Spirit it is possible to find resemblances and contrasts. Both are interesting and instructive. I. THE THOUGHTS OF MAN 'S MIND . We know how fugitive these are; how they come and go like the flash of the lightning; and even those which linger are but short-lived, they soon give place to others. Even those thoughts which become "fixed,"... read more
The desire of a man is his kind. nose. The Revised Version rather paraphrases the clause, The desire of a man is the measure of his kindness ; i.e. the wish and intention to do good is that which gives its real value to an act. The word for "kindness" is chesed, "mercy;" and, looking to the context, we see the meaning of the maxim to be that a poor man's desire of aiding a distressed neighbour, even if he is unable to carry out his intention, is taken for the act of mercy. "The desire... read more
Mixed maxims of life-wisdom I. HUMAN KINDNESS . ( Proverbs 19:22 .) There is no purer delight than in the feelings of love and the practical exercise of universal kindness. If the mere pleasure of the selfish and the benevolent life be the criterion, without question the latter has the advantage. II. TRUTHFULNESS . ( Proverbs 19:22 , Proverbs 19:28 .) So the honest poor outweighs the rich or successful liar in intrinsic happiness as well as in repute. The worthless... read more
The fear of the Lord tendeth to life ( Proverbs 14:27 ). True religion, obedience to God's commandments, was, under a temporal dispensation, rewarded by a long and happy life in this world, an adumbration of the blessedness that awaits the righteous in the world to come. And he that hath it shall abide satisfied. The subject passes from "the fear" to its possessor. Perhaps better, and satisfied he shall pass the night, which is the usual sense of לוּן ( lun ) , the verb here... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 19:21
There are many devices, etc. - The same sentiment as in Proverbs 16:1 ; (note), where see the note. read more