Proverbs 26:1-28 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:15

The sluggard has now, with much ado, got out of his bed, but he might as well have lain there still for any thing he is likely to bring to pass in his work, so awkwardly does he go about it. Observe, 1. The pretence he makes for his slothfulness: He hides his hand in his bosom for fear of cold; next to his warm bed in his warm bosom. Or he pretends that he is lame, as some do that make a trade of begging; something ails his hand; he would have it thought that it is blistered with yesterday's... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:16

Observe, 1. The high opinion which the sluggard has of himself, notwithstanding the gross absurdity and folly of his slothfulness: He thinks himself wiser than seven men, than seven wise men, for they are such as can render a reason. It is the wisdom of a man to be able to render a reason, of a good man to be able to give a reason of the hope that is in him, 1 Pet. 3:15. What we do we should be able to render a reason for, though perhaps we may not have wit enough to show the fallacy of every... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:17

1. That which is here condemned is meddling with strife that belongs not to us. If we must not be hasty to strive in our own cause (Prov. 25:8), much less in other people?s, especially theirs that we are no way related to or concerned in, but light on accidentally as we pass by. If we can be instrumental to make peace between those that are at variance we must do it, though we should thereby get the ill-will of both sides, at least while they are in their heat; but to make ourselves busy in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:18-19

See here, 1. How mischievous those are that make no scruple of deceiving their neighbours; they are as madmen that cast firebrands, arrows, and death, so much hurt may they do by their deceits. They value themselves upon it as polite cunning men, but really they are as madmen. There is not a greater madness in the world than a wilful sin. It is not only the passionate furious man, but the malicious deceitful man, that is a madman; he does in effect cast fire-brands, arrows, and death; he does... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:20-22

Contention is as a fire; it heats the spirit, burns up all that is good, and puts families and societies into a flame. Now here we are told how that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning, that we may avoid the occasions of strife and so prevent the mischievous consequences of it. If then we would keep the peace, 1. We must not give ear to talebearers, for they feed the fire of contention with fuel; nay, they spread it with combustible matter; the tales they carry are fireballs. Those who... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:23

This may be meant either, 1. Of a wicked heart showing itself in burning lips, furious, passionate, outrageous words, burning in malice, and persecuting those to whom, or of whom, they are spoken; ill words and ill-will agree as well together as a potsherd and the dross of silver, which, now that the pot is broken and the dross separated from the silver, are fit to be thrown together to the dunghill. 2. Or of a wicked heart disguising itself with burning lips, burning with the professions of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:24-26

There is cause to complain, not only of the want of sincerity in men's profession of friendship, and that they do not love so well as they pretend nor will serve their friends so much as they promise, but, which is much worse, of wicked designs in the profession of friendship, and the making of it subservient to the most malicious intentions. This is here spoken of as a common thing (Prov. 26:24): He that hates his neighbour, and is contriving to do him a mischief, yet dissembles with his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:27

See here, 1. What pains men take to do mischief to others. As they put a force upon themselves by concealing their design with a profession of friendship, so they put themselves to a great deal of labour to bring it about; it is digging a pit, it is rolling a stone, hard work, and yet men will not stick at it to gratify their passion and revenge. 2. What preparation they hereby make of mischief to themselves. Their violent dealing will return upon their own heads; they shall themselves fall... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:28

There are two sorts of lies equally detestable:?1. A slandering lie, which avowedly hates those it is spoken of: A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; it afflicts them by calumnies and reproaches because it hates them, and can thus smite them secretly where they are without defence; and it hates them because it has afflicted them and made them its enemies. The mischief of this is open and obvious; it afflicts, it hates, and owns it, and every body sees it. 2. A flattering lie,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:1

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest ,.... Which were very undesirable and unseasonable, yea, very hurtful to the fruits of the earth; and a great obstruction to the labourers in the harvest, and a hinderance to the gathering of it in; and were very rare and uncommon in Judea; it was even a miracle for thunder and rain to be in wheat harvest, 1 Samuel 12:17 ; so honour is not seemly for a fool : for a wicked man; such should not be favoured by kings, and set in high places of... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:18-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:20-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:24-26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:1

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