Proverbs 29

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:8-10

The senselessness of scorn, etc Here is a triplet of truths we may gather from these three texts. I. THE SENSELESSNESS OF SCORN . ( Proverbs 29:8 .) To be of a scornful spirit, to bestow scornful looks, to use scornful language,—this is gross folly. 1 . It is utterly unbecoming . Not one of us is so removed above his fellows as to be entitled to treat with entire disregard what they may have to say or what they propose to do. 2 . The wisest men , and even the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:8-11

Dishonourable passions Such is the designation given by St. Paul (see Revised Version of the New Testament, Romans 1:26 , etc.) to the various workings of the evil leaven in the soul. Here is a description of some of these "lusts." I. SCOFFING . ( Proverbs 29:8 .) Set on fire of hell, it inflames others, disturbs the peace of communities, produces failures and tumults in public life. But wisdom calms, and turns all things to the best. The scoffer, the malevolent critic of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:9

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man —if a wise man has a controversy, either legal or social, with a wicked fool— whether he rage ( is angry ) or laugh, there is no rest. It is a question whether the wise man or the fool is the subject of this clause. St. Jerome makes the former the subject, Vir sapiens, si cum stulto contenderit, sive irascatur, sive rideat, non inveniet requiem . It matters not how the wise man treats the fool; he may be stern and angry, he may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:10

The bloodthirsty hate the upright; him that is perfect , Revised Version; ὅσιον , Septuagint. His life is a tacit reproach to men of blood, robbers, murderers, and such like sinners, as is finely expressed in the Book of Wisdom Proverbs 2:12 , etc.. But the just seek his soul. The explanation of this hemistich is doubtful. The following interpretations have been offered: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:11

A fool uttereth all his mind; his spirit ; רוּחוֹ , i . e . "his anger;" θυμόν , Septuagint (comp. Proverbs 16:32 ). The wording of the second hemistich confirms this rendering. A fool pours out his wrath, restrained by no consideration. It is a wise maxim that says, "Command your temper, lest it command you;" and again, "When passion enters in at the foregate, wisdom goes out at the postern." So we have the word attributed to Evenus Parius— πολλάκις ἀνθρώπων ὀργὴ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:11

(and see Proverbs 12:16 ; Proverbs 14:33 ) The time to be silent There is a time to keep silence as well as a time to speak (see Ecclesiastes 3:7 ). According to our individual temperament we need the one injunction or the other. There are few, however, of either sex or of any disposition who do not need to be urged to guard the door of the lip. This is one of those things in which we all offend in our time and in our way. Impatience most frequently leads to transgression; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:12

All his servants are wicked. The ruler is willing to be deceived, and does not care to hear the truth, so his servants flatter and lie to him, and the whole atmosphere is charged with unreality and deceit. Qualis rex, talis grex . Ecclesiastes 10:2 , "As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all that dwell therein." Claudian, ' IV . Cons. Hon.,' 299— " Componitur orbis Regis ad exemplum: nec sic... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:12-17

Government in truth and equity I. THERE MUST BE THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE . ( Proverbs 29:12 .) Especially in regard to truthfulness. Nothing is more easily caught than an example of untruthfulness, evasion, hypocrisy. Servants' manners reflect their masters' characters. The more conspicuous the station, the further the influence of the example extends. II. THERE MUST BE RESPECT TO THE RULER AND JUDGE OF ALL . ( Proverbs 29:13 .) He is no Respecter of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:13

A variation of Proverbs 22:2 . The deceitful man. This makes no contrast with the poor. "The man of oppressions" ( tekakim ) is the usurer, from whom the poor suffer most wrong and cruelty. The needy man and the rich lender are thrown together in social life. St. Jerome calls them pauper et creditor . Septuagint, "When the creditor and debtor meet together, the Lord maketh inspection ( ἐπσκοπὴν ) of both." The Lord lighteneth both their eyes. Both rich and poor, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:13

(See homily on Proverbs 22:2 .)—C. read more

Group of Brands