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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:9

Note, 1. The way to preserve peace among relations and neighbours is to make the best of every thing, not to tell others what has been said or done against them when it is not at all necessary to their safety, nor to take notice of what has been said or done against them when it is not at all necessary to their safety, nor to take notice of what has been said or done against ourselves, but to excuse both, and put the best construction upon them. ?It was an oversight; therefore overlook it. It... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:10

Note, 1. A word is enough to the wise. A gentle reproof will enter not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man, so as to have a strong influence upon him; for, if but a hint be given to conscience, let it alone to carry it on and prosecute it. 2. Stripes are not enough for a fool, to make him sensible of his errors, that he may repent of them, and be more cautious for the future. He that is sottish and wilful is very rarely benefited by severity. David is softened with, Thou art... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:11

Here is the sin and punishment of an evil man. 1. His sin. He is an evil man indeed that seeks all occasions to rebel against God, and the government God has set over him, and to contradict and quarrel with those about him. Quaerit jurgia?He picks quarrels; so some. There are some that are actuated by a spirit of opposition, that will contradict for contradiction-sake, that will go on frowardly in their wicked ways in spite of all restraint and check. A rebellious man seeks mischief (so some... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:12

Note, 1. A passionate man is a brutish man. However at other times he may have some wisdom, take him in his passion ungoverned, and he is a fool in his folly; those are fools in whose bosom anger rests and in whose countenance anger rages. He has put off man, and is become like a bear, a raging bear, a bear robbed of her whelps; he is as fond of the gratifications of his lusts and passions as a bear of her whelps (which, though ugly, are her own), as eager in the pursuit of them as she is in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:9

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love ,.... He that hides the transgression of another, or of his friend, committed against himself or against another, which he is privy to; but the matter being made up, and the offence forgiven, he forgets it, and no more speaks of it to his friend, or upbraids him with it, nor spreads it among others: such a man shows that he loves his friend, and is desirous that love and friendship should be continued; and this is the way to continue it; and a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entereth more into a wise man ,.... A single verbal reproof, gently, kindly, and prudently given, not only enters the ear, but the heart of a wise and understanding man; it descends into him, as the word F11 תחת "descendet", Montanus; "descendit", Vatablus, Mercerus, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus. signifies; it sinks deep into his mind; it penetrates into his heart, and pierces his conscience; brings him easily to humiliation, confession, and reformation. Or, "reproof is more... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:11

An evil man seeketh only rebellion ,.... For he seeks nothing but what is evil; and all sin is rebellion against God, a contempt of his laws, and a transgression of them; a trampling upon his legislative power and authority; an act of hostility against him, and a casting off allegiance to him. Or rather the words may be rendered, "rebellion", that is, "the rebellious man", so the Targum, the abstract for the concrete, "verily" or "only seeketh evil" F13 אך מרי יבקש רע "profecto... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:12

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man ,.... A bear is a very fierce and furious creature, especially a she bear; and she is still more so when robbed of her whelps, which she has just whelped, and been at great pains to lick into shape and form, by which her fondness to them is increased; and therefore, being stripped of them, is full of rage; and ranging about in quest of them, falls furiously upon the first she meets with. Jerom F14 Comment, in Hos. xiii. 8. So Aristot. Hist.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entereth more - Though the rod, judiciously applied, is a great instrument of knowledge, yet it is of no use where incurable dulness or want of intellect, prevails. Besides, there are generous dispositions on which counsel will work more than stripes. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 17:12

Let a bear robbed of her whelps - At which times such animals are peculiarly fierce. See the note on 2 Samuel 17:8 . read more

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