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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 17:14

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water - As soon as the smallest breach is made in the dike or dam, the water begins to press from all parts towards the breach; the resistance becomes too great to be successfully opposed, so that dikes and all are speedily swept away. Such is the beginning of contentions, quarrels, lawsuits, etc. Leave off contention, before it be meddled with - As you see what an altercation must lead to, therefore do not begin it. Before it be mingled... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:1-9

Traits of outward dad inward happiness. Happiness depends more on the inward state than on the outward condition Hence— I. CONTENTMENT AS AN ELEMENT OF HAPPINESS . ( Proverbs 17:1 .) The dry morsel, with rest and quiet in the spirit, is better, says the preacher, than the most luxurious meal; the allusion being to slaughtered sacrificial animals as the chief constituents of a rich repast ( Proverbs 9:2 ; Genesis 43:16 ). It suggests the picture of "holy love, found... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:6-25

Fatherhood and sonship Certainly, some of our very greatest mercies are those that come to us in our domestic relationships. I. THE JOY AND CROWN OF FATHERHOOD AND OF GRANDFATHERHOOD . Our Lord speaks of the mother forgetting her anguish "for joy that a man is born into the world" ( John 16:21 ). The joy of parentage is keen , and it is common; it may, indeed, be said to be universal. And it is pure and good; it elevates and enlarges the soul, taking thought... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:8

There is a breath of satire in this verse. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it. "A precious stone" is literally "a stone of grace" ( Proverbs 1:9 ). The gnome expresses the idea that a bribe is like a bright jewel that dazzles the sight and affects the mind of him who receives it (see on Proverbs 15:27 ; comp. Deuteronomy 16:19 ; 1 Samuel 12:3 ). Ovid, 'Art. Amat.,' 3.653— " Munera, crede mihi, capiunt hominesque deosque; Placatur donis Jupiter ipse... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:9

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love ; i.e. strives to exercise, put in practice, love (comp. Zephaniah 2:8 ; 1 Corinthians 14:4 ). Thus Nowack. One who bears patiently and silently, extenuates and conceals, something done or said against him, that man follows after charity, obeys the great law of love (comp. Proverbs 10:12 ). Some explain the clause to mean, "procures love for himself;" but the second member certainly is not personal, therefore it is more natural to take... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:9

(with Proverbs 16:28 ) Friendship; the silence that saves and the speech that separates it We may learn— I. THE GOODLINESS OF FRIENDSHIP . "Very friends," or "chief friends," points to intimate friendship. This is one of the very fairest and worthiest things under the sun. The man to whom God gives a lifelong faithful friendship is rich in a treasure which wealth cannot buy and the excellency of which it does not equal. It should be: 1 . Founded on common attachment ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entereth more (deeper) into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. A deserved rebuke makes a deeper impression upon a man of understanding than the severest chastisement upon a fool. Hitzig quotes Sallust, 'Jug.,' 11, "Verbum in pectus Jugurthae altius, quam quisquam ratus est, descendit." Quint. Curt; 54.7, "Nobilis equus umbra quoque virgae regitur, ignavus ne calcari quidem concitari potest." The antithesis is put more forcibly in the Septuagint, "A threat breaks the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:10

The wisdom of accepting a reproof I. IT IS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT A REPROOF . Only the wise man will take it. Many difficulties stand in the way. 1 . It is hard to believe that the reproving counsellor is a true friend. He appears to be censorious. We think he takes a pleasure in finding fault with us. We accuse him of a Pharisaic self-satisfaction in comparing his own virtue with our fault. 2 . It is difficult to admit the application of the accusation to ourselves. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:10-15

Dark phases of human character We may take Proverbs 17:10 as an introduction to what follows. Exhortations are to be given, and the preacher would prepare us to receive them. On the sensitive mind the censure of the good makes a deeper impression than a hundred blows on the back of the fool. Sincerity, love of truth and tender sympathy, become the exhorter, and humble docility the object of his warnings or rebukes. "Let the righteous smite me, and it shall be a kindness" ( Psalms 141:5 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:11

An evil man seeketh only rebellion. So the Greek and Latin Versions; but, as Nowack intimates, a bad man seeks many other things which do not come directly in the category of rebellion; and it is better to take meri, "rebellion," as the subject, regarding it as put for the concrete, thus: "A rebellious man striveth only for what is evil." From the point of view of an Eastern potentate, this is true enough. Absolute government looks upon any rising against constituted authority, any... read more

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