Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, etc. - The Septuagint, Syrian, and Arabic read this verse as follows: "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" And this St, Peter quotes literatim , 1 Peter 4:18 ; (note), where see the note. read more
The pricelessness of integrity We have here a view of the exceeding worth of moral integrity, or of righteousness; we see what, in the judgment of the wise, it will do for its possessor. It will— I. DIRECT HIS WAY . "The integrity of the upright shall guide them; …the righteousness of the perfect [ i.e. the upright] shall direct his way" ( Proverbs 11:3-5 ). And we read. ( Proverbs 10:9 ) that "he that walketh uprightly walketh surely." The man who honestly and earnestly... read more
There is that scattereth; that giveth liberally, as Psalms 112:1-10 :99, "He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy." And yet increaseth ; becomes only the richer in wealth and more blessed by God (comp. Proverbs 19:17 ). Nutt quotes the old epitaph, "What we spent, we had; what we saved, we lost; what we gave, we have." Experience proves that no one ultimately loses who gives the tithe of his income to God (see on Proverbs 28:27 ). There is that withholdeth more than is meet;... read more
Meanness The Book of Proverbs is sometimes accused of taking too low and worldly a view of conduct, and of giving undue importance to prudential, self-regarding duties. Whatever truth there may be in these charges—and no doubt the New Testament does describe so pure and lofty an ideal of life as to leave the morals of Solomon and his compeers in a decidedly inferior rank—gives only the greater emphasis to those maxims of broad and noble character which are so clear and imperative as to... read more
The narrow and the large heart I. THRIFTY SPENDING . All wise outlay of money is a form of thrift, The increase of capital depends upon the observance of certain laws and rules of prudence; and the prudence which enables to amass enables also to spend. Spending in works of benevolence is seldom known to impoverish a man, for it is seldom disjoined from calculation and economy in personal habits. But whether we can trace out the manner of the connection in every instance or not, it is... read more
Expensive economy, etc We am accustomed to speak as if the man who spends freely is a spendthrift, and as if the man who restrains his hand is on the way to wealth. But if that is our thought, we am often and much mistaken. There is an— I. EXPENSIVE ECONOMY . "There is that withholdeth," etc. 1 . If we keep back the wage that is due to the workman, we shall miss the blessing that goes with justice, and suffer the curse which attends injustice ( James 5:1 4). 2 . If we... read more
The sentiment of the preceding verse is here carried on and confirmed. The liberal soul; literally, the soul of blessings, the man that blesses others by giving liberally. Shall be made fat ( Proverbs 13:4 ; Proverbs 28:25 ). The term is used of the rich and prosperous ( Psalms 22:29 ). Septuagint, "Every simple soul is blessed." He that watereth —benefits and refreshes others— shall be watered also himself; shall receive the blessing which he imparts. The Vulgate introduces... read more
He that withholdeth corn. The practice reprehended is not confined to any one time or place. The avaricious have always been found ready to buy corn and other necessary articles of consumption when plentiful, and wait till there was dearth in the market or scarcity in the land, and then sell them at famine prices. Amos sternly reproves this iniquity ( Amos 8:4 , etc.). It is a sin against justice and charity, and it is said of him who is guilty of it, the people shall curse him ( ... read more
He that diligently seeketh good; literally, he that seeketh in the morning, as so often in Scripture, the phrase, "rising early," implies unimpaired powers and diligence ( Proverbs 27:14 ; Jeremiah 7:13 , etc,). Procureth favour ; better, seeketh favour ; by his very act of striving after what is good, he is striving to do what may please and benefit others, and thus to please God. Vulgate, "Well does he rise early who seeketh good." It —mischief— shall come unto him; the... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life - חיים עץ ets chaiyim , "the tree of lives." It is like that tree which grew in the paradise of God; increasing the bodily and mental vigor of those who ate of it. He that winneth souls is wise - Wisdom seeks to reclaim the wanderers; and he who is influenced by wisdom will do the same. read more