Proverbs 20:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:15

The lips of knowledge (a good understanding to guide the lips and a good elocution to diffuse the knowledge) are to be preferred far before gold, and pearl, and rubies; for, 1. They are more rare in themselves, more scarce and hard to be got. There is gold in many a man's pocket that has no grace in his heart. In Solomon's time there was plenty of gold (1 Kgs. 10:21) and abundance of rubies; every body wore them; they were to be bought in every town. But wisdom is a rare thing, a precious... 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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:12-19

Religion, industry, prudence, and honesty I. GOD THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD . 1 . Of all bodily good. The eye, the ear, with all their wondrous mechanism, with all their rich instrumentality of enjoyment, are from him. 2 . Of all spiritual faculty and endowment, the analogues of the former, and "every good and perfect gift" ( James 1:16 ). The new heart, the right mind, should, above all, be recognized as his gifts. 3 . In domestic and in public life. Good counsels of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:15

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies. For peninim, which is rendered "rubies," "pearls," or "coral," see on Proverbs 3:15 . There is gold which is precious, and there is abundance of pearls which are still more valuable. But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel, and worth more than all. We had the expression, "lips of knowledge," in Proverbs 14:7 ; it means lips that utter wisdom. Keli, often translated "jewel" in the Authorized Version, also boars the meaning of "vessel,"... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:15

Proverbs 20:15 . There is gold, &c. Namely, in the world, in divers persons’ hands, by whom it is much prized; but the lips of knowledge Wise speeches, proceeding from a well-informed and upright mind, are a precious jewel Are of far greater worth, both to him that utters them, and to those that receive and improve them to their own benefit. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-30

Honesty (20:1-30)Wise people will not become drunkards, will not needlessly anger those in authority, will avoid quarrelling and will work to support themselves (20:1-4). They will also have the ability to draw out the deepest feelings and intentions of those with whom they deal (5). Many people boast of their loyalty but few practise it. To live honestly is the best way to guarantee a good future for one’s children (6-7). A king learns by experience to discern between right and wrong in cases... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 20:15

"There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.""There is indeed gold, and many pearls; but a precious treasure are lips full of knowledge."[11] The implication here, as often stated in Proverbs, is that knowledge is far better than gold, or other such treasures. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 20:15

15. The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare :-). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:1-30

1. Raging] RV ’a brawler.’ Is deceived] RM ’reeleth.’ It makes a man sneer, quarrel and reel about. 2. Fear] the ’terror’ which he causes. Soul] RV ’life.’4. Read, ’In the autumn.. therefore when he seeketh,’ etc.: the first season begins about October, the second about April. 5. A clever cross-questioner elicits one’s plans. 8. Scattereth away] RM ’winnoweth’ (1 Kings 3:28).9. ’What mortal when he saw,Life’s voyage done, his heavenly Friend,Could ever yet dare tell Him fearlessly:“I have kept... read more

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