Proverbs 12:9-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:9

Note, 1. It is the folly of some that they covet to make a great figure abroad, take place, and take state, as persons of quality, and yet want necessaries at home, and, if their debts were paid, would not be worth a morsel of bread, nay, perhaps, pinch their bellies to put it on their backs, that they may appear very gay, because fine feathers make fine birds. 2. The condition and character of those is every way better who content themselves in a lower sphere, where they are despised for the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:10

See here, 1. To how great a degree a good man will be merciful; he has not only a compassion for the human nature under its greatest abasements, but he regards even the life of his beast, not only because it is his servant, but because it is God's creature, and in conformity to Providence, which preserves man and beast. The beasts that are under our care must be provided for, must have convenient food and rest, must in no case be abused or tyrannised over. Balaam was checked for beating his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:11

Note, 1. It is men's wisdom to mind their business and follow an honest calling, for that is the way, by the blessing of God, to get a livelihood: He that tills his land, of which he is either the owner or the occupant, that keeps to his word and is willing to take pains, if he do not raise an estate by it (what need is there of that?), yet he shall be satisfied with bread, shall have food convenient for himself and his family, enough to bear his charges comfortably through the world. Even the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:9

He that is despised, and hath a servant ,.... Meaning not the same person as before, but one in mean circumstances of life; and because he has not that substance as others have, at least does not make that show and figure in the world as some; and mean in his own eyes, as Jarchi; and does not affect grandeur, and to look greater than he is; has just sufficiency to keep a servant to wait upon him; or, as some render it, is "a servant to himself" F16 עבד לו "servus sibiipsi",... read more

John Gill

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

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast ,.... Or "knoweth" it F17 יודע "novit", Mercerus, Michaelis; so Vulgate Latin. ; knows the worth of it and values it, and takes care of it, and is concerned for the preservation of it; he provides sufficient food for it, and gives it; he does not overwork it, but allows it proper rest from labour; and, if in any disorder, will make use of all suitable means to heal it; see an instance of the care of Jacob, that righteous man, of his... read more

John Gill

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

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread ,.... This was man's work in innocence; this he was doomed to do with the sweat of his brow after his fall; every man has his land to till, or some calling, work, or business, to be employed in, either civil or sacred; and it becomes him to be diligent therein, and such as are shall not want bread, but shall have a sufficiency of it; but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding : that neglects his business, loiters... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:9

He that is despised, and hath a servant - I believe the Vulgate gives the true sense of this verse: Melior est pauper, et sufficiens sibi; quam gloriosus, et indigens pane. "Better is the poor man who provides for himself, than the proud who is destitute of bread." The versions in general agree in this sense. This needs no comment. There are some who, through pride of birth, etc., would rather starve, than put their hands to menial labor. Though they may be lords, how much to be preferred... read more

Adam Clarke

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

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast - One principal characteristic of a holy man is mercy: cruelty is unknown to him; and his benevolence extends to the meanest of the brute creation. Pity rules the heart of a pious man; he can do nothing that is cruel. He considers what is best for the comfort, ease health, and life of the beast that serves him, and he knows that God himself careth for oxen: and one of the ten commandments provides a seventh part of time to be allotted for the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:11

He that tilleth his land - God's blessing will be in the labor of the honest agriculturist. But he that followeth vain persons - He who, while he should be cultivating his ground, preparing for a future crop, or reaping his harvest, associates with fowlers, coursers of hares, hunters of foxes, or those engaged in any champaign amusements, is void of understanding; and I have known several such come to beggary. To this verse the Septuagint add the following clause: 'ov estin en oinwn... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:1-15

The downward and the upward paths Whether we are daily ascending or descending depends very much on whether we are ready or are refusing to learn The man of open mind is he who moves up, but the man whose soul is shut against the light is he who is going down. I. THE DOWNWARD PATH . We strike one point in this path when we come to: 1 . The forming of a false estimate of ourself. When "our way is right in our own eyes" ( Proverbs 12:15 ), and that way is the wrong one,... read more

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