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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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:3-31

The pricelessness of integrity We have here a view of the exceeding worth of moral integrity, or of righteousness; we see what, in the judgment of the wise, it will do for its possessor. It will— I. DIRECT HIS WAY . "The integrity of the upright shall guide them; …the righteousness of the perfect [ i.e. the upright] shall direct his way" ( Proverbs 11:3-5 ). And we read. ( Proverbs 10:9 ) that "he that walketh uprightly walketh surely." The man who honestly and earnestly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:12-15

Social sins denounced I. THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL SIN . It dissolves mutual bonds of confidence, corrupts and disintegrates the social order and stability. In the mixed condition of human character and society there are elements of weakness and elements of strength. Our speech about others and behaviour to them tends either to bring out their weaknesses, so promoting discontent, suspicion, and distrust, or it. tends to bring out their good qualities, so promoting genial confidence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:14

Where no counsel is. The word properly means "steersmanship," "pilotage" ( Proverbs 1:5 ; Proverbs 12:5 ; Proverbs 24:6 ). So Vulgate , gubernator ; Septuagint, κυβέρνησις , "They who have no government fall like leaves," reading alim instead of am . In the multitude of counsellors ( Proverbs 15:22 ; Proverbs 20:18 ; Proverbs 24:6 ). This would go to prove the superiority of a popular government over the despotism of a single ruler. But the caution of our homely... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 11:14

Proverbs 11:14. Where no counsel is, the people fall “Where prudent counsellors are wanting a nation goes to wreck, as certainly as a ship doth without a pilot; but a country is safe when there are many wise men to govern affairs; that if one fail, there may enough still remain; or what one or two see not, others may be able to discern.” read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:1-31

Prosperity; uprightness; generosity (11:1-31)People are foolish to try to get rich by dishonest methods, because dishonesty brings judgment from which riches cannot save (11:1-4). By their blameless conduct, people ensure their ultimate victory; by crookedness they ensure their downfall (5-8). When good people have influence in a city, the citizens live in peace and happiness. But each city also has its troublemakers, who are a nuisance to their neighbours and create unrest in the community... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 11:14

counsel: or helmsman. multitude of counsellers. Provided they are really "counsellers". safety = salvation. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 11:14

"Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.""It is better when a people are governed by laws and conclusions resulting from the deliberation of many competent and authorized men, than when their fate is entrusted unconditionally to only one or to a few."[16] This proverb, however, does not necessarily apply to every situation. There is another proverb (not in the Bible) which says, "Too many cooks spoil the broth." read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 11:14

14. counsel—the art of governing (Proverbs 1:5). counsellors—literally, "one giving counsel"; the participle used as a collective. read more

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