Proverbs 20:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:6

Note, 1. It is easy to find those that will pretend to be kind and liberal. Many a man will call himself a man of mercy, will boast what good he has done and what good he designs to do, or, at least, what an affection he has to well-doing. Most men will talk a great deal of their charity, generosity, hospitality, and piety, will sound a trumpet to themselves, as the Pharisees, and what little goodness they have will proclaim it and make a mighty matter of it. 2. But it is hard to find those... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:6

Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness ,.... As the Pharisee did, in Luke 18:11 ; and as the Pharisees in common did; who did all their works to be seen of men, and made clean the outside of the cup and platter; and were very careful to appear outwardly righteous to men, Matthew 23:5 . And indeed this is the general cast of men; everyone is proclaiming his goodness to others, and would be thought to be good men; and cannot be easy with doing a good action, unless it is known,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:6

Most men will proclaim - Many men merciful ben clepid: a feithful man forsoth, who schal finde? Old MS. Bible. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:6

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; chesed, "kindness," "mercy," "liberality," as in Proverbs 19:22 . So Ewald and others, Hitzig and Kamphausen translate, "Many a man one names his dear friend;" Delitzsch and Nowack prefer, "Most men meet a man who is gracious to them;" i.e. it is common enough to meet a man who seems benevolent and well disposed. Vulgate, "Many men are called merciful;" Septuagint, "Man is a great thing, and a merciful man is a precious thing." The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:6-7

The blessings of goodness Here are brought out again, in proverbial brevity, the blessings which belong to moral worth. I. THE DOUBTFUL VALUE OF SELF - PRAISE . "Most men will proclaim," etc. 1 . On the one hand, nothing is better than the approval of a man's own conscience. "Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo," says the Roman writer. Let a man have the commendation of his own conscience, and he can hear the hisses of the people with very little concern. It has been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:6-11

The frailty of mankind I. THE RARITY OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP . ( Proverbs 20:6 .) Many are ready to promise, few willing to perform. Many eager to say, "Lord, Lord!" comparatively few to do the will of the Father in heaven. There is no want of good notions in the world; but, according to the Italian proverb, many are so good that they are good for nothing. The spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak. Inclination to good needs to be fortified by faith in God. II. THE JUST ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:6-7

Proverbs 20:6-7. Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness “Most men are ready enough to claim to themselves a large share of piety and virtue;” but a faithful man who can find? “Where is that man of true and undissembled virtue to be found, who studies rather to be, than to seem, good?” There are but few such. Schultens. The just man walketh in his integrity He proves himself to be righteous, not only by his profession, which is spoken of in the former sentence, but by his... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 20:6

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . every one. Hebrew. 'Ish 'ish. App-14 . his own goodness. Illustrations: Absalom (2 Samuel 15:4 ); Jehu (2 Kings 10:16 , 2 Kings 10:31 ); Scribes, &c. (Matthew 6:2 ; Matthew 23:5 ); the rich young man (Matthew 19:20 , Matthew 19:22 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 20:6

"Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?""Many a man protests his loyalty, but where will you find one to keep faith."[4] The thought here is similar to Paul's remark that, "There is none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:9). read more

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