Proverbs 16:8-9 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Here, 1. It is supposed that an honest good man may have but a little of the wealth of this world (all the righteous are not rich),?that a man may have but little, and yet may be honest (though poverty is a temptation to dishonesty, Prov. 30:9; yet not an invincible one),?and that a man may grow rich, for a while, by fraud and oppression, may have great revenues, and those got and kept without right, may have no good title to them nor make any good use of them. 2. It is maintained that a small... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

Man is here represented to us, 1. As a reasonable creature, that has the faculty of contriving for himself: His heart devises his way, designs an end, and projects ways and means leading to that end, which the inferior creatures, who are governed by sense and natural instinct, cannot do. The more shame for him if he do not devise the way how to please God and provide for his everlasting state. 2. But as a depending creature, that is subject to the direction and dominion of his Maker. If men... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness ,.... Gotten in a righteous way, held by a righteous claim, used in a righteous manner, attended with a life of righteousness and holiness; and also along with an interest in the righteousness of Christ, which renders acceptable unto God, yields peace and comfort, and entitles to eternal glory and happiness. A truly righteous man may have but little of this world's goods; but his small pittance is better than great revenues without right ; obtained... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

A man's heart deviseth his way ,.... This is to be understood, not of a wicked man, in whose heart is frowardness, and who devises mischief and evil imaginations continually, Proverbs 6:14 ; for such are an abomination to the Lord; nor will he direct their goings, or prosper and succeed them in their ways: but of a good man, or righteous man, as Aben Ezra; who thinks of the way in which he should go, and desires to walk in a right way, as Jarchi; and who is influenced by the Spirit and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:9

A man's heart deviseth his way - This is precisely the same sentiment as that contained in the first verse, on the true meaning of which so much has been already said. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-9

Thought, action, prayer It may be said that the three main elements of human experience are those of thinking, of acting, and of praying. We have not done our best until we have done all of these. I. THOUGHT . "The preparations of the heart belong to man" (Revised Version). "Thy thoughts" ("thy purposes," Revised Version). We are told of Peter, after the denial, that "when he thought thereon, he wept" ( Mark 14:72 ). But if he had thought beforehand what grief he would cause his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:4-9

The administration of rewards and punishments I. THE MORAL DESIGNS OF GOD . ( Proverbs 16:4 .) The creation is teleological ; it has a beginning, a process, and an end in view, all determined by the will and wisdom of God. If this is true of every plant, of every mollusc, it is true of every man. We are formed to illustrate his praise. Disobedience, with its consequences, ratifies his just and holy laws. II. THE MORAL FEELINGS OF GOD . ( Proverbs 16:5 .)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness ( Proverbs 15:16 ; Psalms 37:16 ). "Righteousness" may mean here a holy life or just dealing; as without right , or, with injustice, in the second clause, may refer either generally wickedness, or specially to fraud and oppression ( Jeremiah 22:13 ). Says Theognis— βούλεο δ εὐσεβέων ὀλίγοις σὺν χρήμασιν οἰκεῖν , η πλουτεῖν ἀδίκως χρήματα πασάμενος . "Wish thou with scanty means pious to live, Rather than rich with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps ( Proverbs 16:1 ). "Man proposes, God disposes" or, as the Germans say, "Der Mensch denkt, Gott lenkt" (comp. Proverbs 20:24 ). The word rendered "deviseth" implies, by its spectra, intensity of thought and care. Man meditates and prepares his plans with the utmost solicitude, hut it rests with God whether he shall carry them to completion or not, and whether, if they are to be accomplished, it be done with ease or with... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 16:8

Proverbs 16:8. Better is a little, &c. A small estate, honestly gotten and usefully employed, is much to be preferred before vast incomes, gathered by oppression, and kept without the exercise of mercy and charity. This was, in effect, said before, Proverbs 15:16, (where see the note,) and is here repeated, partly because of the great importance and usefulness of this truth, and partly because men are very hardly brought to a serious belief of it. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:4-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 16:8

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