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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

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 11:14

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 11:15

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it - He shall find evil upon evil in it. See on Proverbs 6:1 ; (note). 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:15

He that is surety for a stranger; or, for another (see Proverbs 6:1 ). Shall smart for it. "Evil shall fall on him evilly who is surety." He that hateth suretyship; guaranteed, as the word implies, by the striking of hands in public ( Proverbs 17:18 ). Vulgate, "who is cautious of snares," especially of the insidious dangers that lurk in suretyship. Is sure; is at rest and has nothing to fear. There is no paronomasia in the Hebrew. The play on "suretyship" and "sure" in the... 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

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