That is destroyed for want of judgment - O, how much of the poverty of the poor arises from their own want of management! They have little or no economy, and no foresight. When they get any thing, they speedily spend it; and a feast and a famine make the chief varieties of their life. read more
He that spareth his rod hateth his son - That is, if he hated him, he could not do him a greater disservice than not to correct him when his obstinacy or disobedience requires it. We have met with this subject already, and it is a favourite with Solomon. See Psalm 34:10 ; (note) and Psalm 37:3 ; (note). The Rev. Mr. Holden makes some sensible observations on this passage: "By the neglect of early correction the desires (passions) obtain ascendancy; the temper becomes irascible,... read more
To the satisfying of his soul - His desires are all moderate; he is contented with his circumstances, and is pleased with the lot which God is pleased to send. The wicked, though he use all shifts and expedients to acquire earthly good, not sticking even at rapine and wrong, is frequently in real want, and always dissatisfied with his portion. A contented mind is a continual feast. At such feasts he eats not. read more
The blessings of obedience and their counterpart I. THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE . 1 . Honour. ( Proverbs 13:18 .) "'Tis a good brooch to wear in a man's hat at all times," says one of our old poets. Love is common to all the creatures, as life and death; honour belongs to men alone; and dishonour must be worse than death. The praise of others is the refiection of virtue, and a good name like flagrant ointment. 2 . Satisfied desire. ( Proverbs 13:19 .) And what is... read more
Evil pursueth sinners. Sinners suffer not only the natural consequences of crime in external evil, injury to body, estate, reputation, etc. ( Psalms 11:6 ), but also stings of conscience and remorse; even seeming prosperity is often a chastisement, and long impunity is only augmenting the coming retribution. As the shadow attends the substance, so guilt is attached to sin, and brings with it punishment. To the righteous good shall be repaid ; or, he, Jehovah, shall repay good (comp. ... read more
Penalty pursuing sin These are striking words, and they give us a graphic picture of penalty in pursuit of the guilt which is seeking and hoping to escape, but which is certain to be overtaken. I. SIN AND SUFFERING ARE INSEPARABLY ASSOCIATED IN THOUGHT , In our judgment and in our feeling they go together; they belong to one another. There is no need to go beyond this point; it is ultimate. If we sin, we deserve to suffer, and must expect to suffer. It is right that we... read more
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children. This would be especially notable where a system of temporal rewards and punishments was expected and generally experienced. The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Property unjustly acquired, or wickedly used, is taken from those who have it, and ultimately finds its way into better hands. They cannot keep it, and consequently cannot leave it to their children. " De male quaesitis non gaudet tertius haeres ." ... read more
Much food is in the tillage (tilled ground) of the poor ( Proverbs 12:11 ). The word rendered "tillage" ( nir ) means ground worked for the first time, and therefore that on which much labour is bestowed. Hence the Vulgate rightly renders, novalibus. It occurs in Jeremiah 4:3 and Hosea 10:12 , where our version has "fallow ground." The poor, but righteous man, who industriously cultivates his little plot of ground, secures a good return, and is happy in eating the labour of his... read more
He that spareth his rod hateth his son. Correction of children is a great point with our author (see Proverbs 19:18 ; Proverbs 22:15 ; Proverbs 23:13 , etc.; Proverbs 29:15 , Proverbs 29:17 ). So Ecclesiasticus 30:1, "He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, that he may have joy of him in the end." Dukes, "Gold must be beaten, and a boy needs blows" ('Rabbin. Blumenlese,' 71). Chasteneth him betimes ; literally, early in the morning ( Proverbs 1:28 ; Proverbs... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaveth an inheritance - He files many a prayer in heaven in their behalf, and his good example and advices are remembered and quoted from generation to generation. Besides, whatever property he left was honestly acquired, and well-gotten goods are permanent. The general experience of men shows this to be a common case; and that property ill-gotten seldom reaches to the third generation. This even the heathens observed. Hence: De male quaesitis non gaudet tertius haeres . ... read more