Proverbs 23:21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 23:19-28

Here is good advice for parents to give to their children; words are put into their mouths, that they may train them up in the way they should go. Here we have, I. An earnest call to young people to attend to the advice of their godly parents, not only to this that is here given, but to all other profitable instructions: ?Here, my son, and be wise, Prov. 23:19. This will be an evidence that thou art wise and a means to make thee wiser.? Wisdom, as faith, comes by hearing. And again (Prov.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:21

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty ,.... They consuming their substance upon their bellies, in eating and drinking; see Proverbs 21:17 ; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags ; excessive eating and drinking brings drowsiness on men, unfits them for business, and makes them idle and slothful; and spending all on their bellies, they have nothing for their backs, and are clothed in rags; see Proverbs 24:33 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:19-21

An exhortation to temperance, as one of the results of the fear of God, prefaced by an exhortation to wisdom. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:19-25

The perils of dissipation and the antidote "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." I. PERILS OF DISSIPATION . ( Proverbs 23:20 , Proverbs 23:21 .) Gluttony and wine bibbing. As the stomach is the centre of health, so it is also of disease. A wise man (Dr. Johnson) said that if one did not care for one's stomach, one was not likely to care for anything. It is equally true that he who cares only or chiefly for the flesh will make a wreck of everything else. Gluttony has been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:20-21

(See below.)—C. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:21

Intemperance leads to prodigality, carelessness, and ruin. And drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. The luxury and excess spoken of above lead to drowsiness and inability to work, and poverty follows as the natural result (comp. Proverbs 19:15 ; Proverbs 24:33 , etc.). The Vulgate still harps on the same string as in the previous verse, "Those who waste time in drinking, and who give picnics ( dantes symbola ) , shall be ruined, and semnolence small clothe with rags." The LXX .... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 23:19-21

Proverbs 23:19-21. Hear and be wise Rest not in hearing, but see that thou grow wiser and better by it. And guide thy heart in the way Order the whole course of thine affections and actions in God’s way, often termed the way, as has been observed before. Be not among wine-bibbers Avoid their conversation and company, lest thou be either infected or injured by them. The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty Which is the common effect of revelling, feasting, and riotous... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-35

Social-climbers and others (23:1-35)Those who seek status like to mix with the upper classes and try to copy their habits. But because of their ignorance of how to eat fine foods, they make fools of themselves and so spoil their chances of progressing up the social ladder. The food they desire becomes the means of their downfall (23:1-3). The desire for wealth can lead to disappointment (4-5), and the efforts to win the favour of others may win only their disfavour. This may particularly be the... read more

E.W. Bullinger