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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:20

This shows, not what should be, but what is the common way of the world?to be shy of the poor and fond of the rich. 1. Few will give countenance to those whom the world frowns upon, though otherwise worthy of respect: The poor, who should be pitied, and encouraged, and relieved, is hated, looked strange upon, and kept at a distance, even by his own neighbour, who, before he fell into disgrace, was intimate with him and pretended to have a kindness for him. Most are swallow-friends, that are... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:21

See here how men's character and condition are measured and judged of by their conduct towards their poor neighbours. 1. Those that look upon them with contempt have here assigned them a bad character, and their condition will be accordingly: He that despises his neighbour because he is low in the world, because he is of a mean extraction, rustic education, and makes but a mean figure, that thinks it below him to take notice of him, converse with him, or concern himself about him, and sets him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:20

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour ,.... As well as of strangers; that is, he is shy of him; he does not care to take any notice of him, or be friendly with him, lest he should be burdensome to him. Poverty brings a man into contempt and disgrace; the same man, in affluence and indigence, is respected or disrespected: this is true, as Gersom observes, of a man that is poor, whether in money or in knowledge, in his purse or in his understanding; but the rich hath many friends ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:21

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth ,.... He that despiseth his neighbour in his heart, speaks slightly of him, overlooks him, is not friendly to him, will neither converse with him, nor relieve him in his necessity; for it seems to be understood of his poor neighbour; and so the Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "he that despiseth the poor"; that despises him for his poverty; because of his pedigree and education, and the low circumstances he is in; or on account of his weakness... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:20

But the rich hath many friends - Many who speak to him the language of friendship; but if they profess friendship because he is rich, there is not one real friend among them. There is a fine saying of Cicero on this subject: Ut hirundines festivo tempore praesto sunt, frigore pulsae recedunt: ita falsi amici sereno tempore praesto sunt: simul atque fortunae hiemem viderint, evolant omnes - Lib. iv., ad Herenn. "They are like swallows, who fly off during the winter, and quit our cold... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:21

He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth - To despise a man because he has some natural blemish is unjust, cruel, and wicked. He is not the author of his own imperfections; they did not occur through his fault or folly; and if he could, he would not retain them. It is, therefore, unjust and wicked to despise him for what is not his fault, but his misfortune. But he that hath mercy on the poor - Who reproaches no man for his poverty or scanty intellect, but divides his bread with the hungry... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:20

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour ( Proverbs 19:4 , Proverbs 19:7 ). This sad experience of selfishness (comp. Ecclesiastes 6:8 , etc.; Ecclesiastes 12:8 ) is corrected by the following verse, which must be taken in connection with this; at the same time, it is a truth which has been expressed in various ways by many moralists and satirists. Says the Greek Theognis— πᾶς τις πλούσιον ἄνδρα τίει ἀτίει δὲ πενιχρόν . "The rich all honour, but the poor man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:20-27

Causes and effects To grasp this principle—there is nothing causeless and unaccountable in life—and to apply it is one of the main principles of wisdom. Let us note some of its applications— I. TO SOCIAL RELATIONS . 1 . Poverty an object of dislike, and riches magnetic of good will. ( Proverbs 14:20 .) Widespread parallels may be found in ancient literature to this saying. Its truth is equally obvious today. It is a truth of human nature, and has its bad and its good... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:21

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth. Taken in connection with the preceding verse, this teaches that it is a sin to despise and shun a man because he is poor or of low estate; such a one has a claim for love and pity, and it is a crime to withhold them from him for selfish considerations. The Christian view is taught by the parable of the good Samaritan. But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he; hail to him! ( Proverbs 16:20 ). Contempt is contrasted with mercy, sin with... read more

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