(9) He that is despised.—That is, lowly in his eyes and those of others, as David (1 Samuel 18:23); if “he hath a servant,” that is, if he be in easy circumstances. It has been remarked that “the first necessity of an Oriental in only moderate circumstances is a slave.”He that honoureth himself.—Boasts of his pedigree, it may be, and is all the while starving. read more
(10) Regardeth the life of his beast.—Rather, knows their feelings (comp. Exodus 23:9), and so can feel for them. God’s own care for the brute creation (Jonah 4:11) was shown in the merciful provisions of the Law, by which cattle shared the rest of the Sabbath, and had their portion of the corn as it was being trodden out (Deuteronomy 25:4).Tender mercies.—What the wicked calls tenderness and kind treatment is really cruelty, as he takes no thought for the comfort of his beast. read more
Wasted Gains Proverbs 12:27 I. By toil, by tears, by sharing in the toil and tears of others, our life is rich in gains. Trophies have fallen to our bow, and to the bow of the nation with which we are one, and to the bow of the Gospel we believe; and we have never roasted what we took in hunting. The gains are wasted; the trophies are unused. 1. I want to run that thought out into various spheres of life; and first, the wasted gains in bodily life. Take speech or sight. Compare the... read more
CHAPTER 13THE TONGUE"A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his MOUTH: and the doings of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him."- Proverbs 12:14"In the transgression of the LIPS is a snare to an evil man: but the righteous shall come out of trouble."- Proverbs 12:13"A fool’s vexation is PRESENTLY KNOWN: but a prudent man concealeth shame."- Proverbs 12:16"He that uttereth truth SHOWETH FORTH righteousness, but a false witness deceit."- Proverbs 12:17"The LIP of truth shall be... read more
CHAPTER 12 The Contrast in Relation to Various Conditions In these proverbs we have the righteous mentioned, his thoughts, his words, his domestic relationship, his attitude toward animal creation Proverbs 12:10 ); his diligence; all is contrasted with the wicked in these beautiful antithetic expressions of wisdom. The thoughts of the righteous are right Proverbs 12:5 ), because his heart is right; his words bring deliverance Proverbs 12:6 ); in speaking truth he showeth forth righteousness... read more
12:3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the {a} root of the righteous shall not be moved.(a) They are so grounded in the favour of God, that their root will prosper continually. read more
12:6 The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall {b} deliver them.(b) As their conscience is upright, so will they be able to speak for themselves against their accusers. read more
12:9 [He that is] despised, {c} and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and is destitute of bread.(c) The poor man that is contemned and yet lives of his own travail. read more
12:10 A righteous [man] {d} regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.(d) Is merciful, even to the very beast who does him service. read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 12:8
(8) According to his wisdom—i.e., intelligent observance of the ends to be pursued in life, and the best means of attaining to them; in other words, finding out the will of God and how to fulfil it.Shall be despised.—Comp. 1 Samuel 2:30. read more