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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:10-11

It is here observed, I. That good men are generally well-beloved by their neighbours, but nobody cares for wicked people. 1. It is true there are some few that are enemies to the righteous, that are prejudiced against God and godliness, and are therefore vexed to see good men in power and prosperity; but all indifferent persons, even those that have no great stock of religion themselves, have a good word for a good man; and therefore when it goes well with the righteous, when they are advanced... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:12-13

I. Silence is here recommended as an instance of true friendship, and a preservative of it, and therefore an evidence, 1. Of wisdom: A man of understanding, that has rule over his own spirit, if he be provoked, holds his peace, that he may neither give vent to his passion nor kindle the passion of others by any opprobrious language or peevish reflections. 2. Of sincerity: He that is of a faithful spirit, that is true, not only to his own promise, but to the interest of his friend, conceals... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:14

Here is, 1. The bad omen of a kingdom's ruin: Where no counsel is, no consultation at all, but every thing done rashly, or no prudent consultation for the common good, but only caballing for parties and divided interests, the people fall, crumble into factions, fall to pieces, fall together by the ears, and fall an easy prey to their common enemies. Councils of war are necessary to the operations of war; two eyes see more than one; and mutual advice is in order to mutual assistance. 2. The... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:15

Here we are taught, 1. In general, that we may not use our estates as we will (he that gave them to us has reserved to himself a power to direct us how we shall use them, for they are not our own; we are but stewards), and further that God in his law consults our interests and teaches us that charity which begins at home, as well as that which must not end there. There is a good husbandry which is good divinity, and a discretion in ordering our affairs which is part of the character of a good... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:10

When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth ,.... As it always does, even in the worst of times; in times of public calamity and distress, and when enemies rise up on all hands; it is well with them in life, in death, and to all eternity; see Isaiah 3:10 ; but there are particular times when it goes well with them, which is matter of joy to others; when they prosper in the worm, increase in riches and honour, and are advanced to places of authority and trust; just magistrates... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:11

By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted ,.... That is, either by the blessings with which they are blessed; and these are either temporal or spiritual: when good men are blessed with temporal blessings, the place where they live is the better it; and especially the poor, for they do not eat their morsel alone; and where there are many of these, and in prosperous circumstances, it is the exaltation and glory of a city taken in a literal sense; and which is the more blessed for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:12

He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour ,.... Not only in his heart, but by giving him opprobrious language; he speaks contemptibly of him, either because he thinks he is wiser than his neighbour, and therefore calls him fool at every turn; as those who are most destitute of wisdom conceit they have the largest share of it, and despise others; or else because he is richer than his neighbour, as the poor is generally despised by the rich; or because he fancies he is holier than he,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:13

A talebearer revealeth secrets ,.... The Arabic version adds, in the congregation, openly and publicly; that goes about with tales from place to place, who is like a walking merchant or peddler, as the word F12 הולך רכיל "obambulat ut mercator", Tigurine version; "qui incedit nundinator", Schultens. signifies; who takes up his wares at one place, and exposes them to sale, and vends them at another; so a talebearer, he goes from house to house, and picks up tales at one place and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:14

Where no counsel is , the people fall ,.... Where there is no wise and prudent, sound and good counsel, as the word signifies; where that is not, there had as good be none, or better; a people, a kingdom, a commonwealth, nation, or city, fall into ruin and destruction, or into schemes which bring them to it; they are like a ship without a pilot, or without a helm, or one to steer it: the Targum, Syriac, and Vulgate Latin versions, render it, "where there is no governor;' and the Arabic... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:15

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it ,.... Or in "breaking shall be broken" F17 רע ירוע "frangendo frangetur", Michaelis; so Pagninus and others. , ruined and undone; he engaging or becoming a bondsman for one whose circumstances he knew not; and these being bad bring a load upon him, such an heavy debt as crushes him to pieces. Mr. Henry observes that our Lord Jesus Christ became a surety for us when we were strangers, and he smarted for it, he was bruised and... read more

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