Proverbs 12:6-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:6

The words of the wicked are to lie in wait —a lying in wait—for blood (see Proverbs 1:11 ). The wicked, by their lies, slanders, false accusations, etc; endanger men's lives, as Jezebel compassed Naboth's death by false witness ( 1 Kings 21:13 ). The mouth of the upright shall deliver them; i.e. the innocent whose blood the wicked seek. The good plead the cause of the oppressed, using their eloquence in their favour, as in the Apocryphal Story of Susannah, Daniel saved the accused... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:7

The wicked are overthrown, and are not; or, overthrow the wicked, and they shall be no more. The verb is in the infinitive, and may be rendered either way; but the notion is scarcely of an overthrow. The Vulgate has, verte impios ; i.e. change them a little from their previous state, let them suffer a blow from any cause or of any degree, and they succumb, they have no power of resistance. What the stroke is, or whence it comes, is not expressed; it may be the just judgment of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:8

According to his wisdom. A man who gives practical proof of wisdom by life and character, whose words and actions show that he is actuated by high views, is praised and acknowledged by all (see on Proverbs 27:21 ). Thus we read of David, that he behaved himself wisely, "and he was acceptable in the sight of all the people" ( 1 Samuel 18:5 ). The Septuagint, taking lephi differently, renders, "The mouth of the prudent is commended by men." He that is of a perverse heart; Vulgate, "a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:9

This verse may be translated, Better is a man who is lightly esteemed and hath a slave, than he that boasts himself and lacketh bread ; i.e. the man who is thought little of by his fellows, and is lowly in his own eyes, if he have a slave to minister to his wants (which all Orientals of even moderate wealth possess), is better off than one who boasts of his rank and family, and is all the while on the verge of starvation. "Respectful mediocrity is better than boastful poverty." ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:9

Consideration or comfort? It is worth remarking that we might obtain a very wholesome truth from the text, if we take the exact reverse of the proverb as worded in our version; for then we reach the wise conclusion— I. THAT SELF - RESPECT , HOWEVER INDIGENT , is better than "being ministered unto" at the cost of reputation. It is better to lack bread, or even life itself, really honoring ourself, than it is to receive any amount of service from others, if we have forfeited... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:10

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast. For "regardeth," the Hebrew word is literally "knoweth" ( Exodus 23:9 ); he knows what animals want, what they can bear, and treats them accordingly (comp. Proverbs 27:23 ). The LXX . translates "pitieth." The care for the lower animals, and their kind treatment, are not the produce of modern sentiment and civilization. Mosaic legislation and various expressions in Scripture recognize the duty. God's mercies are over all his works; he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:10

Justice to animals I. ANIMALS HAVE RIGHTS WHICH MAY BE OUTRAGED BY INJUSTICE . We hear more of kindness to animals than of justice towards them. It seems to be assumed that they have no rights, and that all our consideration for them must spring from pure generosity, perhaps even from a superabundant condescension. The exercise of it is treated almost as a work of supererogation. These assumptions are based on an inordinate regard for our own supremacy. Man may consider... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:11

A contrast between industry and idleness, repeated at Proverbs 28:19 . He that tilleth his land. Agriculture was the first of industries, and always highly commended among the Jews, bringing a sure return to the diligent ( Proverbs 10:5 ; Proverbs 20:4 ; Proverbs 27:18 , Proverbs 27:23-27 ; and Ec Proverbs 20:28 ). He that followeth after vain persons; rather, vain things ; μάταια , Septuagint, empty, useless employments, profitless business, in contrast to active... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:12

Modern commentators have endeavoured to amend the text of this verse by various methods, which may be seen in Nowack's note on the passage; but the existing reading gives an appropriate sense, and alteration is not absolutely needed, though it is plain that the LXX had before them something different from the Masoretic text. The wicked desireth the net of evil men ( Ecclesiastes 7:26 ), that he may use the means which they take to enrich themselves; or matsod may mean, not the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:12-22

Virtues and vices in civil life I. SOME VICES OF SOCIETY . 1 . Envious greed. ( Proverbs 12:12 .) The wicked desires the "takings" of the evil. It is a general description of greedy strife and competition, one man trying to forestall another in the bargain, or to profit at the expense of his loss; a mutually destructive process, a grinding of egoistic passions against one another, so that there can be no mutual confidence nor peace ( Isaiah 48:22 ; Isaiah 57:21 ). The... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:12-22

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