Proverbs 22:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:3

See here, 1. The benefit of wisdom and consideration: A prudent man, by the help of his prudence, will foresee an evil, before it comes, and hide himself; he will be aware when he is entering into a temptation and will put on his armour and stand on his guard. When the clouds are gathering for a storm he takes the warning, and flies to the name of the Lord as his strong tower. Noah foresaw the deluge, Joseph the years of famine, and provided accordingly. 2. The mischief of rashness and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:3

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself ,.... A wise man, whose eyes are in his head, who looks about him and before him, and is cautious and careful of his conduct and behaviour; he foresees the evil of sin he is liable to be drawn into by such and such company, snares, and temptations; and therefore he keeps from them, and abstains from all appearance of evil, or what would lead him to it; and he foresees the evil of punishment, or the judgments of God that are coming on for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 22:3

A prudent man foreseeth the evil - God in mercy has denied man the knowledge of futurity; but in its place he has given him hope and prudence. By hope he is continually expecting and anticipating good; by prudence he derives and employs means to secure it. His experience shows him that there are many natural evils in a current state, the course of which he can neither stem nor divert: prudence shows him beforehand the means he may use to step out of their way, and hide himself. The simple -... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:1-5

The general conditions of a good name I. WHAT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ITS FOUNDATION . 1 . Riches . ( Proverbs 22:1 .) Riches have their worth; reputation has its worth; but the latter is of an order altogether different from the former. The former gives a physical, the latter a moral, power. It is right that we should have regard to the opinion of good men. "An evil name shall inherit disgrace and reproach," says Sirach 6:1. And we have, as Christians, clearly to think... 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 22:3

A prudent man foresesth the evil, and hideth himself. The whole verse is repeated in Proverbs 27:12 . St. Jerome has callidus, and the LXX . has πανοῦργος , as the translation of עָרוּם ( arum ); but it must be taken in a good sense, as cautions, farseeing, prudent (see note on Proverbs 1:4 ) Such a man looks around, takes warning from little circumstances which might escape the observation of careless persons, and provides for his safety in good time. Thus the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:3

Thoughtfulness and thoughtlessness All men might be divided into the thoughtful and the thoughtless. They belong either to those who look before them and prepare for the struggle or the danger that is coming, and avoid it; or else to those who go blindly on and stumble over the first impediment in their way. The "prudent man" of the text is not only the cautious man; he is the man of sagacity and foresight, who takes large and extended views of things. There are many illustrations of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 22:3

Proverbs 22:3. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, &c. “He whose long experience and observation of things hath made him cautious and circumspect, foresees a calamity before it come, and withdraws himself from the danger into a place of safety; but an incautious and credulous person never foresees any danger, but goes on securely in his accustomed track, till it overtake him.” Thus Bishop Patrick. But in foreseeing temporal calamities, and discerning the methods by which we may escape... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 22:3

evil = mischief. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . simple. See note on Proverbs 1:4 . are punished = suffer for it, or pay the penalty. read more

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