Proverbs 14:29. He that is slow to wrath, &c. He who is not soon provoked to anger by reproaches or ill usage, shows himself to be a wise and great man; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly Exposes his folly, and makes it apparent to every body. Hebrew, מרים אולת , lifteth up folly, displays it like a banner. read more
Hidden feelings and motives (14:1-35)Wisdom builds, but folly destroys. People’s actions reveal their attitude to God (14:1-2). The wisdom of their speech and their commitment to hard work are among the things that determine whether they progress or come to ruin (3-5). Those who think they know everything can never become truly wise and therefore can never have right discernment in the moral issues of life (6-8).Good people may prosper and evil people may suffer loss, but outward appearances do... read more
understanding = discernment. Hebrew. tebunah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 . hasty of spirit. Illustrations: Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:0 . Compare Proverbs 14:16 , above); Jehoram (2 Kings 5:7 ); Martha (Luke 10:40 ). spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . read more
"In the multitude of the people is the king's glory; But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.""A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined."[31] The proverb is also true if interpreted to mean that, "The want of people (the hunger or destitution of people) is the destruction of the prince." It is true both ways! read more
"He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."A variation of this is: "A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart, but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones."[32] Nothing is any more dangerous than association with a person of quick and violent temper, who may become offended on the slightest of pretexts. Such persons are sometimes said to have "a chip on their shoulder." They can even become violent upon the most trivial of... read more
Proverbs 14:28. In the multitude, &c.— The more subjects a prince hath, the more glorious he is; but so much the more so, as he loves with more tenderness, as he preserves with more care, and as he governs with more mildness, the people under him. The Scripture and the ancients give kings the name of shepherds, to put them in mind of the application they ought to give to the augmenting of their people, and of the compassionate kindness wherewith they ought to treat them. Calmet. read more
Proverbs 14:29. He that is slow to wrath, &c.— If we considered patience only as a moral virtue, or as a gracious sobriety and temper in subduing and regulating our affections and passions, as an absence of that anger and rage and fury, which usually transports us upon trivial occasions, we could not but acknowledge the great advantage that men have by it. Solomon requires this to make a wise man: He that is slow to anger, says he, is of great understanding; and, indeed, there is nothing so... read more
28. The teaching of a true political economy. read more
29. slow . . . understanding—(Compare :-). hasty—(Compare :-). exalteth folly—makes it conspicuous, as if delighting to honor it. read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:28
Proverbs 14:28. In the multitude of people is the king’s honour “The honour and splendour of a king depend upon the multitude, wealth, and strength of his subjects, whom, therefore, he ought to protect and cherish: for if they be wasted by unnecessary wars, or forced into other countries by oppression and unjust exactions, it proves the ruin of his kingdom.” Bishop Patrick. read more