Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:8

We are here told whence to expect a good name. Reputation is what most have a high regard to and stand much upon. Now it is certain, 1. The best reputation is that which attends virtue and serious piety, and the prudent conduct of life: A man shall be commended by all that are wise and good, in conformity to the judgment of God himself, which we are sure is according to truth, not according to his riches or preferments, his craft and subtlety, but according to his wisdom, the honesty of his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:9

Note, 1. It is the folly of some that they covet to make a great figure abroad, take place, and take state, as persons of quality, and yet want necessaries at home, and, if their debts were paid, would not be worth a morsel of bread, nay, perhaps, pinch their bellies to put it on their backs, that they may appear very gay, because fine feathers make fine birds. 2. The condition and character of those is every way better who content themselves in a lower sphere, where they are despised for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:8

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom ,.... Not according to his birth and pedigree; not according to his riches and wealth; not according to the places of honour and trust he may be in; but according to his wisdom, which he discovers in his words and actions, in his life and conversation: not according to the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish; not according to the wisdom of the world, which comes to nought, either natural or civil; especially that which lies in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:9

He that is despised, and hath a servant ,.... Meaning not the same person as before, but one in mean circumstances of life; and because he has not that substance as others have, at least does not make that show and figure in the world as some; and mean in his own eyes, as Jarchi; and does not affect grandeur, and to look greater than he is; has just sufficiency to keep a servant to wait upon him; or, as some render it, is "a servant to himself" F16 עבד לו "servus sibiipsi",... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:9

He that is despised, and hath a servant - I believe the Vulgate gives the true sense of this verse: Melior est pauper, et sufficiens sibi; quam gloriosus, et indigens pane. "Better is the poor man who provides for himself, than the proud who is destitute of bread." The versions in general agree in this sense. This needs no comment. There are some who, through pride of birth, etc., would rather starve, than put their hands to menial labor. Though they may be lords, how much to be preferred... 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 12:3-12

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 12:4-11

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:4-12

Proverbs 12:4-12 contain proverbs concerning the management of a house and business. 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

Group of Brands