Even a fool - He is counted wise as to that particular. He may know that he cannot speak well, and he has sense enough to keep from speaking. He is, as to that particular, a wise fool. A man may be golden-mouthed and silver-tongued in eloquence; but to know when and where to speak and to be silent, is better than diamonds. But who that thinks he can speak well can refrain from speaking? His tongue has no rest. read more
Varied experiences of good and evil in life We may divide them into the sorrowful, the joyous, and the mixed experiences. I. SAD EXPERIENCES . The sorrow of thankless children . ( Proverbs 17:21 , Proverbs 17:25 .) To name it is enough for thereto who have known it. It has its analogue in Divine places. How pathetically does the Bible speak of the grief of God over the rebellious children he has nourished and brought up! and of Christ's lamentation as of a mother over... read more
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise. Not betraying his ignorance and incapacity by words, a foolish man is credited with possessing sense (comp. Job 13:5 ). Proverbs to this effect are found in all languages. Thus the Greek— πᾶς τις ἀπαίδευτος φρονιμώτατος ἐστὶ σιωπῶν . Cato, 'Dist.,' 1.3— " Virtutem primam esse puta compescere linguam; Proximus ille Deo qui scit ratione tacere ." Talmud, "Silence becomes the wise, much more feels." The Dutch... read more
Proverbs 17:27-28. He that hath knowledge spareth Hebrew, חושׂךְ , restraineth, his words As at other times, so especially when he is under a provocation to anger or any other passion, in which case fools utter all their minds. And a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit Which he shows, as in various other things, so by commanding his passions, and bridling himself from hasty and unadvised speeches. But this is according to the marginal reading of the Masora; but the reading... read more
Friends and fools (17:1-28)A peaceful family life, no matter how simple, is a great blessing, but a son may miss out on his family inheritance through his own folly (17:1-2). God’s dealings with his people are always for a good purpose, to make them better than they were before (3). To listen to evil talk is as bad as to speak evil oneself; to take pleasure in another’s troubles is as bad as to cause those troubles (4-5).Other proverbs concern the appreciation that the old and the young should... read more
fool. Hebrew. 'evil, as in verses: Proverbs 17:16 , Proverbs 17:22 . See note on Proverbs 1:7 . understandings = wisdom (i.e. a wise man). read more
2. Peacemakers and troublemakers ch. 17 read more
1. Lit. ’the sacrifices of strife.’ There would be no pleasure in the festal meal which followed a sacrifice (Proverbs 7:14) if it was accompanied with a quarrel. ’A little with quiet is the only diet.’2. The Israelite slave was a member of the family (Genesis 24:12; Deuteronomy 5:14, etc.), might become the heir (Genesis 15:2-3) or marry the daughter (1 Chronicles 2:34-35). 4. Naughty] injurious. 7. The proverb writers show no hope of redeeming the lost. Their verdict is, ’He that is filthy... read more
The Nearness of the Essential in Life's Discipline Proverbs 17:24 The fool is he who despises the actual and possible, and longs for what is not; he is never where his eyes are. The text is, then, a warning against vain conceits and regrets, against frittering away life sighing for impossible conditions, whilst missing the glory before our eyes, the treasures at our feet, the prizes within our grasp. I. Do not despise the familiar. The elements of happiness, sources of improvement, and... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise ,.... Not only one that is sparing of his words, and is really a man of knowledge and understanding; but even a feel, if he is but silent, and does not betray his folly by his words, will be reckoned a wise man by those that do not know him; and, whatever fool he may be in other respects, yet in this he acts the wise part, that he holds his peace and says nothing; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding ... read more