Proverbs 12:20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:20

Note, 1. Those that devise mischief contrive, for the accomplishing of it, how to impose upon others; but it will prove, in the end, that they deceive themselves. Those that imagine evil, under colour of friendship, have their hearts full of this and the other advantage and satisfaction which they shall gain by it, but it is all a cheat. Let them imagine it ever so artfully, deceivers will be deceived. 2. Those that consult the good of their neighbours, that study the things which make for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:20

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil ,.... That secretly devise mischief in their hearts against their neighbours; that plough evil, as the word F7 חרשי . signifies, and sow discord among men; and by many artful and deceitful methods promote contention and division, in order to answer some base designs of theirs; but sooner or later they are deceived themselves, are disappointed of their views, the consequence of which is vexation and sorrow; but to the counsellors... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:12-22

Virtues and vices in civil life I. SOME VICES OF SOCIETY . 1 . Envious greed. ( Proverbs 12:12 .) The wicked desires the "takings" of the evil. It is a general description of greedy strife and competition, one man trying to forestall another in the bargain, or to profit at the expense of his loss; a mutually destructive process, a grinding of egoistic passions against one another, so that there can be no mutual confidence nor peace ( Isaiah 48:22 ; Isaiah 57:21 ). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:20

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil; i.e. that give evil advice; such are treacherous counsellors, and their advice can only work mischief, not joy and comfort (see on Proverbs 3:29 ). But to the counsellors of peace (health and prosperity) is joy. They who give wholesome advice diffuse joy around. Vulgate, "Joy attends them;" Septuagint, "They shall be glad;" but the original signifies rather to cause joy than to feel it. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 12:20-21

Proverbs 12:20-21. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil Either, 1st, Deceit toward others, whom they design to deceive, and then to destroy, while good counsellors bring safety and joy to others: or, rather, 2d, To themselves. So the sense of the verse is, They whose hearts devise mischief against others, shall be deceived in their hopes, and bring that trouble upon themselves which they design against others: but they who, by good counsels, labour to promote the peace and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:1-28

Honest speech and honest work (12:1-28)There are further proverbs on attitudes towards criticism (12:1-2; see notes on 9:7-9), the stability of the righteous (3) and the value of a good wife (4). The righteous, besides having good principles, have the courage to speak up at risk to themselves in order to save others (5-7).If people live humbly and in keeping with their financial capacity, they may not achieve high social status, but at least they will remain free of debt. They are wiser than... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:20

"Deceit is in the heart of them that are evil; But to the counselors of peace is joy.""Injustice is the purpose of those who devise evil, but they whose plans promote well-being are just."[29] It is evident that some of the renditions cited here have been achieved, either by emending the text, or by adjusting the clauses to form an antithesis. Others simply make a paraphrase, or even invent their own proverb. "Evil people always want to cause trouble, but people who work for peace will be... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 12:20

20. that imagine—or, "plan" (Proverbs 3:29). They design a deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed (compare Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 12:13-28

6. Avoiding trouble 12:13-28 read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:1-28

4. A crown, etc.] Possibly there may be a reference to the crown worn on their wedding-day by bride and bridegroom (Song of Solomon 3:11; Song of Solomon 8:9). In Damascus the bridal crown consists of a silver hoop covered with a network of strings of corals. On this net are fastened strings of gold coins.5. Two kinds of plans. 6. Their very words are an ambush, meant to cause destruction.9. Even a poor man in those days could afford to have a slave (cp. Exodus 21:32), and such a man, although... read more