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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:13

Note, 1. Those that have no love for their business will never want excuses to shake it off. Multitudes are ruined, both for soul and body, by their slothfulness, and yet still they have something or other to say for themselves, so ingenious are men in putting a cheat upon their own souls. And who, I pray, will be the gainer at last, when the pretences will be all rejected as vain and frivolous? 2. Many frighten themselves from real duties by imaginary difficulties: The slothful man has work... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:13

The slothful man saith, there is a lion without ,.... Or, "in the street". This he says within himself; or to those who call out to him, and put him on doing the business of his proper calling, whether in the field or elsewhere, which, through his slothfulness, he has a disinclination to; and therefore frames excuses, and suggests this and that difficulty or danger in the way, expressed by a "lion without"; and which shows the folly and weakness of his excuses, since lions do not usually... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 22:13

The slothful man saith, There is a lion without - But why does he say so? Because he is a slothful man. Remove his slothfulness, and these imaginary difficulties and dangers will be no more. He will not go abroad to work in the fields, because he thinks there is a lion in the way, he will not go out into the town for employment, as he fears to be assassinated in the streets! From both these circumstances he seeks total cessation from activity. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:1-16

The theme of the earlier part of the chapter may be said to be the good name: the blessings in the possession of it, and the conditions for the acquirement of it—partly negatively, partly positively, described. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:13

The slothful man saith, There is a lion without ( Proverbs 26:13 ). The absurd nature of the sluggard's excuse is hardly understood by the casual reader. The supposed lion is without, in the open country, and yet he professes to be in danger in the midst of the town. I shall be slain in the streets. Others consider that the sluggard makes two excuses for his inactivity. If work calls him abroad, he may meet the lion which report says is prowling in the neighbourhood; if he has to go into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:13

Excuses Few things are oftener on human lips than excuses. Men are continually excusing themselves from doing what they know in their hearts they ought to do. There is no sphere from which they are excluded, and there is hardly any evil to which they do not lead. I. THE SPHERES IS WHICH THEY ARE FOUND . The child excuses himself from the obedience which he should be rendering to his parents; the scholar, from the application he should be giving to his studies; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:13-16

Hindrances to the attainment of a good name I. SLOTH . ( Proverbs 22:13 .) It is full of ridiculous excuses here satirized. While a noble energy refuses to own the word "impossible," it is ever on the lips of the indolent. As in the Arabic fable of the ostrich, or "camel bird," they said to it, "Carry!" It answered, "I cannot, for I am a bird." They said, "Fly!" It answered, "I cannot, for I am a camel." Always, "I cannot !" He who in false regard to his own soul refuses to go... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 22:13

Proverbs 22:13. The slothful man saith Alleges as his excuse to them who upbraid him with idleness, or persuade him to diligence; There is a lion without There are extreme dangers and invincible difficulties in my way; I shall be slain By that lion, or some other way; in the streets This is added to show the ridiculousness of his excuse; for lions abide in the woods, or fields, not in the streets of towns or cities. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:1-16

Children and adults (22:1-16)People vary in reputation and status, but they should respect one another as being equally God’s creatures (22:1-2). Wise people will act with caution and humility. They will bring up their children in a way that prepares them for the experiences they will face in the life ahead (3-6). Those who borrow will fall into the power of the lenders, and this can lead to unjust treatment of the poor by the rich. Such oppression will be punished, but generosity will be... read more

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