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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:15

We have here two very sad considerations:?1. That corruption is woven into our nature. Sin is foolishness; it is contrary both to our right reason and to our true interest. It is in the heart; there is an inward inclination to sin, to speak and act foolishly. It is in the heart of children; they bring it into the world with them; it is what they were shapen and conceived in. It is not only found there, but it is bound there; it is annexed to the heart (so some); vicious dispositions cleave... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:16

This shows what evil courses rich men sometimes take, by which, in the end, they will impoverish themselves and provoke God, notwithstanding their abundance, to bring them to want; they oppress the poor and give to the rich. 1. They will not in charity relieve the poor, but withhold from them, that by saving that which is really the best, but which they think the most needless part of their expenses, they may increase their riches; but they will make presents to the rich, and give them great... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:17-21

Solomon here changes his style and manner of speaking. Hitherto, for the most part, since the beginning of Prov. 10:1; he had laid down doctrinal truths, and but now and then dropped a word of exhortation, leaving us to make the application as we went along; but here, to the end of Prov. 22:17-24:34; he directs his speech to his son, his pupil, his reader, his hearer, speaking as to a particular person. Hitherto, for the most part, his sense was comprised in one verse, but here usually it is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:22-23

After this solemn preface, one would have expected something new and surprising; but no; here is a plain and common, but very needful caution against the barbarous and inhuman practices of oppressing poor people. Observe, I. The sin itself, and that is robbing the poor and making them poorer, taking from those that have but little to lose and so leaving them nothing. It is bad to rob any man, but most absurd to rob the poor, whom we should relieve,?to squeeze those with our power whom we... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:24-25

Here is, 1. A good caution against being intimate with a passionate man. It is the law of friendship that we accommodate ourselves to our friends and be ready to serve them, and therefore we ought to be wise and wary in the choice of a friend, that we come not under the sacred tie to any one whom it would be our folly to accommodate ourselves to. Thought we must be civil to all, yet we must be careful whom we lay in our bosoms and contract a familiarity with. And, among others, a man who is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:26-27

We have here, as often before, a caution against suretiship, as a thing both imprudent and unjust. 1. We must not associate ourselves, nor contract an intimacy, with men of broken fortunes, and reputations, who need and will urge their friends to be bound for them, that they may cheat their neighbours to feed their lusts, and by keeping up a little longer may do the more damage at last to those that give them credit. Have nothing to do with such; be not thou among them. 2. We must not cheat... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:28

1. We are here taught not to invade another man's right, though we can find ways of doing it ever so secretly and plausibly, clandestinely and by fraud, without any open force. Let not property in general be entrenched upon, by robbing men of their liberties and privileges, or of any just ways of maintaining them. Let not the property of particular persons be encroached upon. The land-marks, or meer-stones, are standing witnesses to every man's right; let not those be removed quite away, for... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:29

Here is, 1. A plain intimation what a hard thing it is to find a truly ingenious industrious man: ?Seest thou a man diligent in his business? Thou wilt not see many such, so epidemical are dulness and slothfulness.? He is here commended who lays out himself to get business, though it be but in a very low and narrow sphere, and is not easy when he is out of business, who loves business, is quick and active in it, and goes through it, not only with constancy and resolution, but with dexterity... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child ,.... That is, sin, the greatest of all folly; this is naturally in the heart of man; it is in the heart of a child, it is in him from his infancy; it is bound in his heart, it is rooted and riveted in him, being conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity; it is what cleaves close to him, and he has a strong affection for and desire after: the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, Genesis 8:21 ; so that he is not easily brought off... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:16

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches ,.... By taking away from them the little they have; by keeping back their hire, defrauding them of the just wages of their labours; or by usury and extortion, or any other unjust method, whereby they distress the poor, and enrich themselves; and he that giveth to the rich shall surely come to want : that gives to those that are richer than he; or that are in greater power and authority, that they may protect him in the... read more

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