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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:22

We are here taught, 1. To hate lying, and to keep at the utmost distance from it, because it is an abomination to the Lord, and renders those abominable in his sight that allow themselves in it, not only because it is a breach of his law, but because it is destructive to human society. 2. To make conscience of truth, not only in our words, but in all our actions, because those that deal truly and sincerely in all their dealings are his delight, and he is well pleased with them. We delight to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:23

Note, 1. He that is wise does not affect to proclaim his wisdom, and it is his honour that he does not. He communicates his knowledge when it may turn to the edification of others, but he conceals it when the showing of it would only tend to his own commendation. Knowing men, if they be prudent men, will carefully avoid every thing that savours of ostentation, and not take all occasions to show their learning and reading, but only to use it for good purposes, and then let their own works... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord ,.... Such that speak lies in common talk; and that deliver out doctrinal lies, false doctrines, lies in hypocrisy, as are the doctrines of Rome; these are abominable unto God; as being contrary to his nature as the God of truth; contrary to the Scriptures of truth he has endited; contrary to the truth of the Gospel he has published; contrary to his Son, who is truth itself; and to the Spirit of truth, which leads into all truth, as it is in Jesus;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man concealeth knowledge ,.... Of things natural or divine, which he is furnished with; not but that he is willing to communicate it, as he should, at proper times, in proper places, and to proper persons; but he does not needlessly and unseasonably speak of it; he does not make a show of it, or boast and brag of it: he modestly forbears to speak of what he knows, but when there is a necessity for it, even of that which may be lawfully divulged; which is a point of prudence and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man concealeth knowledge - " If a fool hold his peace he may pass for a wise man." I have known men of some learning, so intent on immediately informing a company how well cultivated their minds were, that they have passed either for insignificant pedants or stupid asses. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:12-22

Virtues and vices in civil life I. SOME VICES OF SOCIETY . 1 . Envious greed. ( Proverbs 12:12 .) The wicked desires the "takings" of the evil. It is a general description of greedy strife and competition, one man trying to forestall another in the bargain, or to profit at the expense of his loss; a mutually destructive process, a grinding of egoistic passions against one another, so that there can be no mutual confidence nor peace ( Isaiah 48:22 ; Isaiah 57:21 ). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:22

(Comp. Proverbs 6:17 ; Proverbs 11:20 .) They that deal truly; Septuagint, ὁ δὲ ποιῶν πίστεις , "he who acts in good faith." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man concealeth knowledge ( Proverbs 12:16 ; Proverbs 10:14 ). He is not wont to utter unadvisedly what he knows, but waits for fitting opportunity, either from humility or wise caution. Of course, in some cases reticence is sinful. The LXX ; reading the passage differently, renders, "A prudent man is the seat of intelligence ( θρόνος αἰσθήσεως )." The heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness ( Proverbs 13:16 ; Proverbs 15:2 ). A foolish man cannot help exposing the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:23

Concealing knowledge I. KNOWLEDGE MUST FIRST BE POSSESSED . We cannot hide what we do not hold. The idea of secreting knowledge suggests the owning a large amount of it, or at least of knowledge of some value. The tradesman who puts all his wares in the window is not the proprietor of a large stock. It cannot be a superficial mind which conceals much knowledge. Such an action suggests a granary of truth, a storehouse of ideas, a territory rich in minerals that lie far below the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:23

Experimental truths: 1. Prudent reserve and foolish babbling I. PRUDENCE HAS REGARD TO TIME , PLACE , AND PERSONS ; FOLLY HAS NONE . II. PRUDENCE KNOWS THAT THERE IS A TIME FOR SILENCE ; THE FOOL WILL STILL BE TALKING . A quiet tongue shows a sound head. III. ANXIETY TO MAKE KNOWN OUR OPINIONS MAY BE BUT ANXIETY TO EXALT OURSELVES . Great talkers are great nuisances. The ambitious aim to shine cannot be... read more

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