Proverbs 18:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:1

The original here is difficult, and differently understood. 1. Some take it as a rebuke to an affected singularity. When men take a pride in separating themselves from the sentiments and society of others, in contradicting all that has been said before them and advancing new notions of their own, which, though ever so absurd, they are wedded to, it is to gratify a desire or lust of vain-glory, and they are seekers and meddlers with that which does not belong to them. He seeks according to his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:1

Through desire a man having separated himself, seeketh ,.... Or, "a separated man seeketh desire" F7 So the Targum. ; his own desire, will, and pleasure. This is either to be understood in a good sense, of one that has a real and hearty desire after sound wisdom and knowledge, and seeks in the use of all proper means to attain it; and in order to which he separates himself from the world and the business of it, and retires to his study, and gives up himself to reading, meditation, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:1

Through desire a man, having separated himself - The original is difficult and obscure. The Vulgate, Septuagint, and Arabic, read as follows: "He who wishes to break with his friend, and seeks occasions or pretenses shall at all times be worthy of blame." My old MS. Bible translates, Occasioun seeketh that wil go awei fro a freend: at al tyme he schal ben wariable. Coverdale thus: "Who so hath pleasure to sowe discorde, piketh a quarrel in every thinge." Bible by Barker, 1615: "Fro... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:1

This is a difficult verse, and has obtained various interpretations. The Authorized Version gives, Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom; i.e. a man who has an earnest desire for self-improvement will hold himself aloof from worldly entanglements, and, occupying himself wholly in this pursuit, will become conversant with all wisdom. This gives good sense, and offers a contrast to the fool in Proverbs 18:2 , who "hath no delight in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:1-9

Unsocial vices There is an inner connection between them all. I. MISANTHROPY . ( Proverbs 18:1 .) If this verse be more correctly rendered, this is the meaning yielded. From a diseased feeling the man turns aside to sullen solitude, and thus rejects wisdom. This affords a fine meaning. It is one thing to feel the need of occasional solitude, another to indulge the passion for singularity. II. OBTRUSIVENESS . ( Proverbs 18:2 .) Contrast Proverbs 18:4 . The talkative fool... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 18:1-2

Proverbs 18:1-2. Through desire, a man having separated himself, &c. According to this translation, the sense of this controverted proverb is, Through desire of wisdom, a man, having separated himself from the company, and noise, and business of the world, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom Uses all diligence that he may search and find out all solid knowledge and true wisdom. But this verse is otherwise rendered in the margin of our Bible, and in divers other versions, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:1-24

Real strength (18:1-24)When people become too confident in their own opinions, they are liable to break away from former friends. They become unreasonable in discussion and blind to the viewpoints of others. Those who despise others will themselves be disgraced (18:1-3). The words of the wise bring refreshment, but those of a fool or a gossip bring destruction (4-8).Those who leave work undone are almost as bad as those who wreck what already has been done (9). Those who trust in God know they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 18:1

Through desire, &c. = Seeking his own pleasure, the recluse (or separatist) breaketh forth (or quarreleth) with everything that is stable. intermeddleth = breaketh forth. Hebrew. gala'. See note on "meddle", Proverbs 17:14 . all wisdom = everything that is stable. See note on Proverbs 2:7 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:1

Proverbs 18:1"He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.""The Hebrew text of the O.T. here yields no satisfactory sense."[1] Hooke preferred this; "A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach."[2] Another various reading is, "The alienated friend seeks an occasion of quarrel to stir up strife."[3] We shall paraphrase the apparent meaning here: "When any man wishes to separate himself from... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 18:1-2

Proverbs 18:1-2. Through desire, &c.— The opinions of commentators on these two verses are much divided. Houbigant renders them as follows: He who prepares dissention seizes all occasions: he leaves nothing untried: Proverbs 18:2. A fool loveth not to be ruled by counsel, but to be carried on rashly and turbulently. Another reads, A hair-brained man followeth fancy, and intermeddleth in every thing: Proverbs 18:2. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in rovings, or ramblings of his... read more

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