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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:12

Here is, 1. The great mischief-maker, and that is malice. Even where there is no manifest occasion of strife, yet hatred seeks occasion and so stirs it up and does the devil's work. Those are the most spiteful ill-natured people that can be who take a pleasure in setting their neighbours together by the ears, by tale-bearing, evil surmises, and misrepresentations, blowing up the sparks of contention, which had lain buried, into a flame, at which, with an unaccountable pleasure, they warm their... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:13

Observe, 1. Wisdom and grace are the honour of good men: He that has understanding, that good understanding which those have that do the commandments, wisdom is found in his lips, that is, it is discovered to be there, and consequently that he has within a good treasure of it, and it is derived thence for the benefit of others. It is a man's honour to have wisdom, but much more to be instrumental to make others wise. 2. Folly and sin are the shame of bad men: A rod is for the back of him that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirreth up strifes ,.... A man, whose heart is full of hatred and malice against his neighbour, will stir up, or awake, as the word F4 תעורר . signifies, contentions and quarrels which were happily laid asleep; these he renews by tale bearing, and whisperings, and evil surmises; by raising lies, spreading false reports and calumnies, and by virulent reproaches and slanders; but love covereth all sins ; not its own, but others; in imitation of the pardoning love and grace... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:13

In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found ,.... He that has an understanding, especially of divine, spiritual, and evangelic things, which is the pure gift of God; wisdom will be found in his lips, his mouth will speak of it; not of mere natural wisdom, but spiritual wisdom; of the wisdom of God in his works; of Christ, the Wisdom of God; of the Gospel, the hidden wisdom; of inward experience of the grace of God, wisdom in the inward part, Psalm 37:30 ; from his lips will... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirreth up strifes - It seeks for occasions to provoke enmity. It delights in broils. On the contrary, love conciliates; removes aggravations; puts the best construction on every thing; and pours water, not oil, upon the flame. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 10:13

A rod is for the back of him - He that can learn, and will not learn, should be made to learn. The rod is a most powerful instrument of knowledge. Judiciously applied, there is a lesson of profound wisdom in every twig. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:1-32

The service of speech, etc "Man is a talking animal," we say. But if we are distinguished from the brute creation by the mere fact of speech, how truly are we divided from one another by the use we make of that human faculty! To what height of worthiness one man may rise, and what inestimable service he may render, but to what depth of wrong another man may fall, and what mischief he may work, by the use of his tongue! I. THE SERVICE OF SPEECH . "By our words" we may do great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:11-14

A fourfold opposition I. SPEECH THAT QUICKENS AND SPEECH THAT KILLS . ( Proverbs 10:11 .) 1 . The speech of the wise and good is sound, "seasoned with salt;" that of the wicked is hollow or else poisonous. 2 . The former edifies, builds up and strengthens the good principle in the minds of those who convene with him; the bluer destroys the good, and sows evil in its stead. II. QUARRELSOMENESS AND AMIABILITY . ( Proverbs 10:12 ; see on Proverbs 6:14 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirreth up strife ( Proverbs 6:14 ). Love covereth all sins ( Proverbs 17:9 ). The reference is primarily to the blood feud, the existence of which led to the establishment of the cities of refuge. Hatred keeps alive the old feeling of revenge, and seeks opportunities of satisfying it; but love puts aside, forgets and forgives all offences against itself. This sentiment comes very near the great Christian principle, "Love covereth a multitude of sins". The Talmud pronounces,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:12

The cloak of charity One of the devices of the parallelism or rhythm of ideas, which is the general characteristic of Hebrew poetry, is the alternative treatment of the same thought from two opposite points of view—from positive and negative poles. The value of some good thing is emphasized by contrasting it with the repulsive nature of its contrary, as Venetian ladies tried to appear the more fair by having negro pages to attend them. Thus the beautiful work of love, in covering of sins,... read more

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