Proverbs 12:9. He that is despised, and hath a servant, &c.— The passage may be understood; "It is better to be in lowliness and obscurity, and to cultivate one's own little heritage, than to want the necessaries of life, through a foolish vanity, which refuses to labour." It is not labour, but idleness which ought to cause shame. Calmet. read more
Proverbs 12:10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast— Lord Bacon observes upon this verse, that there is implanted in man's nature [by Divine grace] a noble and excellent affection of pity and compassion, called here mercy (for the word rendered righteous, signifies mild, clement, merciful), which mercy extends itself even unto brute creatures, that are by divine ordination subject to his command. Therefore this compassion hath some analogy with that of a prince toward his subjects;... read more
Proverbs 12:11. He that tilleth, &c.— The LXX add to this verse, He that taketh a pleasure in taverns, shall leave disgrace in his own fortresses. read more
Proverbs 12:12. The wicked desireth, &c.— The wicked earnestly desireth the hunting of evil. Schultens. Houbigant reads it very differently, A tempest shall shake the device of the wicked: the root of the just shall be firm. read more
Proverbs 12:13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips— i.e. A wicked man is himself ensnared by his prevarications. read more
Proverbs 12:15. The way of a fool, &c.— The danger of self-love and self-conceit is here represented; which have ever this effect, that they make men slight, if not reject, good counsel, out of a vain opinion that none can advise them better than themselves; which is, to follow the direction of a fool: for it is as certain a note of folly to rely wholly upon a man's own judgment, as it is of prudence to hearken to the advice of others. read more
Proverbs 12:16. A fool's wrath is presently known, &c.— Solomon does not approve those who disguise and conceal their resentment till they find a proper opportunity to avenge themselves; but he condemns those who have not the power to repress the first motions of their passions. They who moderate the first heat of their wrath are more likely to extinguish it wholly in future. See Calmet. read more
Proverbs 12:19. The lip of truth shall be established— The LXX read, True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness hath an unrighteous tongue. Houbigant renders it, Perpetuity is in the lip of truth; the tongue of falsehood is for a point of time. read more
Proverbs 12:22. Lying lips are abomination to the Lord— "The Lord (says Melancthon on this verse) recommends to us the love and care of truth, both in doctrines concerning himself, and in arts, and all honest covenants and contracts: for truth being among the chiefest and most conspicuous virtues, therefore the contrary vice is condemned by an expressive word, תועבה toeibah, abomination: that is, such an evil as God detests with a singular indignation (for idols are called תועבות toeiboth,... read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:26
"The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err."Here again one's obligation to his neighbor is stressed. The uncertainty of the Hebrew text here prompted this rendition: "A righteous man turns away from evil, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."[37] read more