Proverbs 20:12-19

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

It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer ,.... When he comes to the shop of the seller, or to market to buy goods, he undervalues them, says they are not so good as they should be, nor so cheap as he can buy them at; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth ; after he has brought the seller to as low a price as he can, and has bought the goods, and gone away with them, and got home among his friends; then he boasts what a bargain he has bought, how good the commodity is, how... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:15

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies ,.... A man may have a large quantity of either, or of both of thorn, as some men have; for there is much of them in the world, not only in mines and quarries, but in the houses and cabinets of men; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel ; knowledge even of things natural, and a gift of elocution to express it by, are a rare jewel, and much more precious than gold and rubies, than a multitude of them; these are not to be mentioned with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:16

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger ,.... Which a man is cautioned against, Proverbs 6:1 ; but if a man will be so weak and foolish, others ought to take care of him, and be cautious how they trust him; for he is in danger of being ruined by his suretyship, and therefore nothing should be lent him without a pledge, without a proper security; for though it was not lawful to take the garment of a poor man for a pledge, at least it was not to be kept after sunset, Exodus 22:26 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:17

Bread of deceit is sweet to a man ,.... Which may be understood of sin in general, which is bread to the sinner, he eats it: it is called "the bread of wickedness", Proverbs 4:17 ; but it is but poor bread, no other than ashes Isaiah 44:20 ; it is "bread of deceit"; there is a deceitfulness in all sin; it is in appearance fair and pleasant to the eye, like the fruit our first parents ate of; or like the apples of Sodom, of which it is reported that they are very beautiful to look at,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:18

Every purpose is established by counsel ,.... Or "the thought" F6 מחשבות "cogitationes", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Gejerus; "unaquaeque cogitationum", Piscator, Mercerus, Michaelis. of a man, everyone of them, what he has thought to do, formed a scheme of in his mind, and resolved upon, by taking advice of his friends, and especially by asking counsel of God, who gives, wisdom liberally, and upbraids not; he is confirmed in his good designs; and he cheerfully pursues... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:19

He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets ,.... Or, "he that revealeth secrets goeth about as a talebearer"; a man that has really got the secrets of others out of them respecting themselves and families, and the affairs of them, or however pretends he master of them; goes about telling his tales from house to house, to the great prejudice of those whose secrets he is entrusted with, or pretends to be; and to the great prejudice of those to whom he tells them, as well as to his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:12

The hearing ear and the seeing eye - Every good we possess comes from God; and we should neither use our eyes, nor our ears, nor any thing we possess, but in strict subserviency to his will. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:13

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty - Sleep, indescribable in its nature, is an indescribable blessing; but how often is it turned into a curse! It is like food; a certain measure of it restores and invigorates exhausted nature; more than that oppresses and destroys life. A lover of sleep is a paltry, insignificant character. read more

Adam Clarke

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

It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer - How apt are men to decry the goods they wish to purchase, in order that they may get them at a cheaper rate; and, when they have made their bargain and carried it off, boast to others at how much less than its value they have obtained it! Are such honest men? Is such knavery actionable? Can such be punished only in another world? St. Augustine tells us a pleasant story on this subject: A certain mountebank published, in the full theater, that at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:15

There is gold - Gold is valuable, silver is valuable, and so are jewels; but the teachings of sound knowledge are more valuable than all. read more

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