Proverbs 14:13 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

This shows the vanity of carnal mirth, and proves what Solomon said of laughter, that it is mad; for, 1. There is sadness under it. Sometimes when sinners are under convictions, or some great trouble, they dissemble their grief by a forced mirth, and put a good face on it, because they will not seem to yield: they cry not when he binds them. Nay, when men really are merry, yet at the same time there is some alloy or other to their mirth, something that casts a damp upon it, which all their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful ,.... As Belshazzar's was in the midst of his feast and jollity, when he saw the writing on the wall; so sin may stare a man in the face, and guilt load his conscience and fill him with sorrow, amidst his merriment; a man may put on a merry countenance, and feign a laugh, when his heart is very sorrowful; and oftentimes this sorrow comes by sinful laughter, by mocking at sin and jesting at religion; and the end of that mirth is heaviness :... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:13

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful - Many a time is a smile forced upon the face, when the heart is in deep distress. And it is a hard task to put on the face of mirth, when a man has a heavy heart. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:8-19

The understanding of one's way I. THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE . ( Proverbs 14:8 .) To note, to observe, to take heed to one's way, is the characteristic of the man who is prudent for time and wise for eternity. And, on the contrary, the very principle of folly is self-deception—to be followed in turn by a terrible awakening to sobriety and recognition of the truth (comp. Psalms 7:15 ; Job 4:8 ). The right way is illustrated both positively and negatively. II. SOME PARTICULAR ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:10-13

Loneliness and laughter The tenth verse suggests to us the serious and solemnizing fact of— I. THE ELEMENT OF LONELINESS IN HUMAN LIFE . "The heart knoweth its own bitterness," etc. In one aspect our life path is thronged. It is becoming more and more difficult to be alone. Hours that were once sacred to solitude are now invaded by society. And yet it remains true that "in the central depths of our nature we are alone." There is a point at which, as he goes inward, our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful (comp. Proverbs 14:10 ). This recalls Lucretius's lines— " Medio de fonte leporum Surgit amari aliquid, quod in ipsis fioribus angat . The text is scarcely to be taken as universally true, but either as specially applicable to those mentioned in the preceding verse, or as teaching that the outward mirth often cloaks hidden sorrow (comp. Virgil, ' AE neid,' 1.208, etc.). And the end of that joy is bitterness; it has in it no element of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

The sadness that lies behind laughter. This verse reads like one of the melancholy reflections of the pessimist preacher in Ecclesiastes. Yet there is a profound truth in it, as all thoughtful minds must recognize. Physically, intense laughter produces acute pangs. Laughter "holds his sides" with pain. Shelley sang truly— "Our sincerest laughter With some pain is fraught." A long laugh naturally fills the eyes with tears and dies away in a sigh of weariness. Further, a season of undue... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

(See homily on Proverbs 16:25 .)—C. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:13

Proverbs 14:13. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful Do not think that every one that laughs is happy, or that profuse and immoderate joy is true pleasure, for the outward signs of it are often mixed with, or end in, real sadness: nay, such is the vanity of this present life, that there is no joy without a mixture of sorrow, which often immediately follows upon it. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-35

Hidden feelings and motives (14:1-35)Wisdom builds, but folly destroys. People’s actions reveal their attitude to God (14:1-2). The wisdom of their speech and their commitment to hard work are among the things that determine whether they progress or come to ruin (3-5). Those who think they know everything can never become truly wise and therefore can never have right discernment in the moral issues of life (6-8).Good people may prosper and evil people may suffer loss, but outward appearances do... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:8-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:10-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:13

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:13

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-35

Group of Brands