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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:7

The wicked are overthrown - Seldom does God give such a long life or numerous offspring. But the house of the righteous shall stand - God blesses their progeny, and their families continue long in the earth; whereas the wicked seldom have many generations in a direct line. This is God's mercy, that the entail of iniquity may be in some sort cut off, so that the same vices may not be strengthened by successive generations. For generally the bad root produces not only a bad plant, but one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:1

Instruction ; correction, discipline, which shows a man his faults, gives him a lowly opinion of himself, and opens his mind to receive knowledge, especially the knowledge of himself and of all moral obligations. Is brutish; is as insensible to higher aspirations, to regret for the past or hope of amendment, as a brute beast (comp. Proverbs 30:2 ). On this point St. Augustine is quoted: " Quicumque corripi non vis, ex eo sane corripiendus es quia corripi non vis. Non vis enim tua... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:1-3

Primary truths I. THE WISDOM OF SUBMISSION , THE FOLLY OF RESISTANCE , TO REPROOF . As self-knowledge is the most precious and indispensable, and as it comes to us by chastisement, i.e. by disappointment, humiliation, pain of various kinds,—to welcome correction, to be willing and anxious to know our faults, is the mark of true wisdom. To fret at reproof, to be angry with the counsellor, to hate the revealing light, is the worst folly and stupidity. II. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:1-15

The downward and the upward paths Whether we are daily ascending or descending depends very much on whether we are ready or are refusing to learn The man of open mind is he who moves up, but the man whose soul is shut against the light is he who is going down. I. THE DOWNWARD PATH . We strike one point in this path when we come to: 1 . The forming of a false estimate of ourself. When "our way is right in our own eyes" ( Proverbs 12:15 ), and that way is the wrong one,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:2

A good man. The word is general, the particular virtue intended being often modified by the context. In view of the contrast in the second clause, it means here "pure," "straightforward." having a heart free from evil thoughts. As the psalm says, "Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as are pure in heart" ( Psalms 73:1 ). Obtaineth favour of the Lord ( Proverbs 8:35 ); Septuagint, "Better is he who findeth favour from the Lord." A man of wicked devices ( Proverbs 14:17 );... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:3

A man shall not be established by wickedness. Man is metaphorically compared to a tree, especially the olive. Wickedness gives him no firm hold for growth or life (comp. Proverbs 10:25 ). The root of the righteous shall not be moved. The righteous are planted in a good soil, are "rooted and grounded in love" ( Ephesians 3:17 ), and the root being thus well placed, the tree is safe, and brings forth much fruit (comp. Proverbs 12:12 ; Job 14:7-9 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:3

The instability of wickedness I. WICKEDNESS MAY BRING TEMPORAL PROSPERITY . It is important to observe the limitations of our subject. The Bible is not an unreasonable book; it does not ignore the patent facts of life; it does not deny that there are pleasures of sin. The very statement that "a man shall not be established by wickedness" implies that he may be lifted up, and may really enjoy prosperity for a season. Though not built up, he may be puffed up. This is to be borne... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:3-12

Strength and fruitfulness Concerning the righteous man two things are here affirmed. I. IN HIM IS STRENGTH . "The root of the righteous shall never be moved." The strong wind comes and blows down the tree which has not struck its roots far into the foil; it tears it up by the roots and stretches it prone upon the ground. It has no strength to stand because its root is easily moved. The righteous man is a tree of another kind; his root shall never be moved; he will stand... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:4

A virtuous woman; one whose portrait is beautifully traced in Proverbs 31:1-31 . The term is applied to Ruth ( Ruth 3:11 ). The Vulgate renders, diligens ; Septuagint, ἀνδρεία . The expression means one of power either in mind or body, or both. The same idea is contained in ἀρετὴ and virtus. Such a woman is not simply loving and modest and loyal, but is a crown to her husband; is an honour to him, adorns and beautifies his life, making, as it were, a joyous festival. So... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:4-11

Blessings and miseries of domestic life I. ELEMENTS OF HAPPINESS IN THE HOME . 1 . The virtuous wife. ( Proverbs 12:4 .) The word is literally "a woman of power, " and the idea of force lies in the word and the idea of virtue. Her moral force and influence makes itself felt in all the life of the household ( Proverbs 31:10 ; Ruth 3:11 ). She is her husband's "crown of rejoicing", his glory and pride. "A thousand decencies do daily flow From all her... read more

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