Proverbs 13:12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

Note, 1. Nothing is more grievous than the disappointment of a raised expectation, though not in the thing itself by a denial, yet in the time of it by a delay: Hope deferred makes the heart sick and languishing, fretful and peevish; but hope quite dashed kills the heart, and the more high the expectation was raised the more cutting is the frustration of it. It is therefore our wisdom not to promise ourselves any great matters from the creature, not to feed ourselves with any vain hopes from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick ,.... That is, the object hoped for; if it is not enjoyed so soon as expected, at least if it is delayed any length of time, the mind becomes uneasy, the heart sinks and fails, and the man is dispirited and ready to despond, and give up all hope of enjoying the desired blessing; whether it be deliverance from any evil, or the possession of any good; but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life ; when that which is hoped and wished for, and has... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick - When once a good is discovered, want of it felt, strong desire for the possession excited, and the promise of attainment made on grounds unsuspected, so that the reality of the thing and the certainity of the promise are manifest, hope posts forward to realize the blessing. Delay in the gratification pains the mind; the increase of the delay prostrates and sickens the heart; and if delay sickens the heart, ultimate disappointment kills it. But when the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:1-18

The wisdom of docility, etc.: a sermon to the young We have the positive and negative, the happy and the sorrowful aspects of the subject brought into view. I. THE WISDOM OF DOCILITY . The excellency of docility is seen in its results: 1 . In character. It is a "wise son" who heareth his father's instruction. 2 . In circumstance. The docile son will "be rewarded," will "be honored." The path he treads is one which leads to competence, to comfort, to health, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. Delay in the accomplishment of some much-desired good occasions sinking of the spirits, languor, and despondence. Many refer this sentence to the impatient longing for heaven which holy men feel, such as we may read in 'De Imitatione,' 3.48, 49, and in the hymns, "For thee, O dear, dear country;" and "We've no abiding city," etc. And St. Paul can exclaim ( Romans 7:24 ), "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred I. THE HOPE THAT IS DEFERRED . Most men who live to any purpose live by hope. It is scarcely possible to press forward with energy to a future that is wholly dark. The prospect of some future good is a present inspiration. Thus hope takes a large place in the heart of man. Note some of its forms. 1 . The hope of youth. It is natural for youth to believe in the future, to treat its possibilities as certainties, and to colour its grey outline with the gorgeous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

The sickness of disappointment and the joy of fruition I. HOPE DELAYED . Who has not known that sickness of the heart, that slow-consuming misery of which the text speaks? It is a sorrow of every age. Life itself is by some spent in this still lingering delay. The stern experience of the course of the world teaches us that the sentimental and romantic view of the future, so natural to youth, must give way to realities. II. HOPE DELAYED IS THE TRAIL OF FAITH . The ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

with Proverbs 13:9 (first part) and Proverbs 13:19 (first part) Hope and disappointment We learn that— I. HOPE IS PLANTED AS AN INSTINCT IN THE HUMAN HEART , "Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts," says the psalmist ( Psalms 22:9 ). We start on our course with a precious store of hopefulness in our soul; and it takes much to kill or to exhaust it. It lasts most men through life, though the troublous experiences we pass through weaken... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 13:12

Proverbs 13:12. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick The delay of that which a man eagerly desires and expects is such an affliction, that it differs little from a lingering disease; but when the desire cometh When the good desired and expected is obtained. It is a tree of life That is, most sweet, satisfactory, and reviving to the soul. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 13:1-25

Satisfaction amid life’s hardships (13:1-25)Parental advice is one of the benefits of life. Those who habitually ignore it will develop an attitude of scorning all opinions except their own (13:1). Good words bring a reward, but treacherous words can result in violence. Discipline in speech is necessary, because rash words lead to disaster (2-3). Discipline is necessary also in work and behaviour, otherwise a person’s life may end in ruin. Security is found in honesty (4-6).The poor might at... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 13:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 13:12

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 13:1-25

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