Proverbs 18:8-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:8

Tale-bearers are those who secretly carry stories from house to house, which perhaps have some truth in them, but are secrets not fit to be told, or are basely misrepresented, and false colours put upon them, and are all told with design to blast men's reputation, to break their friendship, to make mischief between relations and neighbours, and set them at variance. Now the words of such are here said to be, 1. Like as when men are wounded (so the margin reads it); they pretend to be very much... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:9

Note, 1. Prodigality is very bad husbandry. Those are not only justly branded as fools among men, but will give an uncomfortable account to God of the talents they are entrusted with, who are wasters of their estates, who live above what they have, spend and give more than they can afford, and so, in effect, throw away what they have, and suffer it to run to waste. 2. Idleness is no better. He that is remiss in his work, whose hands hang down (so the word signifies), that stands, as we may,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:10

Here is, 1. God's sufficiency for the saints: His name is a strong tower for them, in which they may take rest when they are weary and take sanctuary when they are pursued, where they may be lifted up above their enemies and fortified against them. There is enough in God, and in the discoveries which he has made of himself to us, to make us easy at all times. The wealth laid up in this tower is enough to enrich them, to be a continual feast and a continuing treasure to them. The strength of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:11

Having described the firm and faithful defence of the righteous man (Prov. 18:10), Solomon here shows what is the false and deceitful defence of the rich man, that has his portion and treasure in the things of this world, and sets his heart upon them. His wealth is as much his confidence, and he expects as much from it, as a godly man from his God. See, 1. How he supports himself. He makes his wealth his city, where he dwells, where he rules, with a great deal of self-complacency, as if he had... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:12

Note, 1. Pride is the presage of ruin, and ruin will at last be the punishment of pride; for before destruction men are commonly so infatuated by the just judgment of God that they are more haughty than ever, that their ruin may be the sorer and the more surprising. Of, if that do not always hold, yet after the heart has been lifted up with pride, a fall comes, Prov. 16:18. 2. Humility is the presage of honour and prepares men for it, and honour shall at length be the reward of humility, as he... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:13

See here how men often expose themselves by that very thing by which they hope to gain applause. 1. Some take a pride in being quick. They answer a matter before they hear it, hear it out, nay, as soon as they but hear of it. They think it is their honour to take up a cause suddenly; and, when they have heard one side, they think the matter so plain that they need not trouble themselves to hear the other; they are already apprized of it, and masters of all the merits of the cause. Whereas,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:14

Note, 1. Outward grievances are tolerable as long as the mind enjoys itself and is at ease. Many infirmities, many calamities, we are liable to in this world, in body, name, and estate, which a man may bear, and bear up under, if he have but good conduct and courage, and be able to act with reason and resolution, especially if he have a good conscience, and the testimony of that be for him; and, if the spirit of a man will sustain the infirmity, much more will the spirit of a Christian, or... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:15

Note, 1. Those that are prudent will seek knowledge, and apply their ear and heart to the pursuit of it, their ear to attend to the means of knowledge and their heart to mix faith with what they hear and make a good improvement of it. Those that are prudent do not think they have prudence enough, but still see they have need of more; and the more prudent a man is the more inquisitive will he be after knowledge, the knowledge of God and his duty, and the way to heaven, for that is the best... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:16

Of what great force gifts (that is, bribes) are he had intimated before, Prov. 17:8, 23. Here he shows the power of gifts, that is, presents made even by inferiors to those that are above them and have much more than they have. A good present will go far, 1. Towards a man's liberty: A man's gift, if he be in prison, may procure his enlargement; there are courtiers, who, if they use their interest even for oppressed innocency, expect to receive a gratuity for it. Or, if a mean man know not how... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:17

This shows that one tale is good till another is told. 1. He that speaks first will be sure to tell a straight story, and relate that only which makes for him, and put the best colour he can upon it, so that his cause shall appear good, whether it really be so or no. 2. The plaintiff having done his evidence, it is fit that the defendant should be heard, should have leave to confront the witnesses and cross-examine them, and show the falsehood and fallacy of what has been alleged, which... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:17

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