Proverbs 20:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:5

A man's wisdom is here said to be of use to him for the pumping of other people, and diving into them, 1. To get the knowledge of them. Though men's counsels and designs are ever so carefully concealed by them, so that they are as deep water which one cannot fathom, yet there are those who by sly insinuations, and questions that seem foreign, will get out of them both what they have done and what they intend to do. Those therefore who would keep counsel must not only put on resolution, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:5

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water ,.... Pure and undisturbed, but secret, hidden, and hard to be come at: such are the things of the spirit of a man, the thoughts of his mind, the devices of his heart; which, though easily known by the searcher of hearts, are not easily penetrated into by men; or it is not easily got out of them what is in them, especially in some men, who are very close and reserved. This is true of wicked men, who seek sleep to hide their counsel; and of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:5

Counsel in the heart of man - Men of the deepest and most comprehensive minds are rarely apt, unsolicited, to join in any discourse, in which they might appear even to the greatest advantage; but a man of understanding will elicit this, by questions framed for the purpose, and thus pump up the salubrious waters from the deep and capacious well. The metaphor is fine and expressive. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-5

Evils to be avoided I. SOME SPECIAL EVILS AND DANGERS . 1 . Drunkenness . ( Proverbs 20:1 .) The spirit or demon of wine is spoken of as a personal agent. It leads to frivolity, scoffing, profane and senseless mirth. To be drunk with wine, as St. Paul points out ( Ephesians 5:18 ), is the opposite of being "filled with the Spirit" (see F.W. Robertson's sermon on this subject). 2 . The wrath of kings. ( Proverbs 20:2 ) In those times of absolute rule, the king... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:5

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water. The thoughts and purposes of a man are hidden in his breast like deep water ( Proverbs 18:4 ) in the bosom of the earth, hard to fathom, hard to get. But a man of understanding will draw it out. One who is intelligent and understands human nature penetrates the secret, and, by judicious questions and remarks, draws out the hidden thought. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:5

Proverbs 20:5. Counsel in the heart of man Either, 1st, Ability to give counsel; or, 2d, The design or purpose of doing something of importance; for the word עצה , here rendered counsel, is frequently used in both senses, but the latter seems most proper here; it is like deep water Is there in great abundance, or is secret and hard to be discovered; but a man of understanding will draw it out By prudent questions and discourses, and a diligent observation of his words and actions. In... 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 20:5

"Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.""There is no moral content in this proverb. A man's real purpose may be hard to fathom. The allusion is to men's disposition to conceal their plans. A clever man will try to discover them by shrewd inquiries and guesses."[3] `Deep water,' as already noted, is an idiom for things mysterious or difficult to find out. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 20:5

Proverbs 20:5. Counsel in the heart of man, &c.— There is hardly any thing but may be compassed by wisdom: for though the designs and intentions of another man, especially one who has a deep understanding, are as hard to be founded as waters which lie in the secret caverns of the earth; yet there are persons of such penetration, that they will find means to discover them, and draw them out. Lord Bacon observes, that there are six ways whereby the knowledge of men may be drawn out and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 20:5

5. Counsel . . . water—that is, deeply hidden (Proverbs 18:4; Psalms 13:2). The wise can discern well. read more

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