Proverbs 25:8-13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:9

Debate thy cause with thy neighbor - Take the advice of friends. Let both sides attend to their counsels; but do not tell the secret of thy business to any. After squandering your money away upon lawyers, both they and the judge will at last leave it to be settled by twelve of your fellow citizens! O the folly of going to law! O the blindness of men, and the rapacity of unprincipled lawyers! On this subject I cannot but give the following extract from Sir John Hawkins's Life of Dr.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:11

A word fitly spoken - אפניו על al ophannaiv , upon its wheels. An observation, caution, reproof, or advice, that comes in naturally, runs smoothly along, is not forced nor dragged in, that appears to be without design, to rise out of the conversation, and though particularly relative to one point, will appear to the company to suit all. Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver - - Is like the refreshing orange or beautiful citron, served up in open work or filigree baskets, made... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:12

As an ear-ring of gold - I believe נזם nezem to mean the nose-ring with its pendants; the left nostril is pierced, and a ring put through it, as in the ear. This is very common in almost every part of the East, among women of condition. This is a farther illustration of the above metaphor. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:13

As the cold of snow - That snow was frequent in Judea, is well known; and that in the East they have snow-houses - places dug under ground, where they lay up snow for summer use - is also a fact. By means of the mass of snow desposited in them the icy temperature is kept up, so that the snow is easily preserved. The common method of cooling their wine, which is as easy as it is effectual, is by dipping a cloth in water, wrapping it round the bottle, and then hanging the bottle in the heat of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:8

A tristich with no parallelism. Go not forth hastily to strive. The idea is either of one entering into litigation with undue haste, or of one hurrying to meet an adversary. St. Jerome, taking in the final words of the previous verse, renders, Quae viderunt oculi tui, ne proferas in jurgio cito , "What thine eyes have seen reveal not hastily in a quarrel." This is like Proverbs 25:9 below, and Christ's injunction, "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:8-9

The wise way of settlement We look at— I. THE INEVITABLENESS OF DISPUTES . It is quite impossible that, with our present complication of interests—individual, domestic, social, civic, national—differences and difficulties should not arise amongst us. There must be a conflict of opinion, a clash of wishes and purposes, the divergence which may issue in dissension. What reason would teach us to anticipate experience shows us to exist. II. THE TEMPTATION OF THE HASTY ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:8-10

Some social pests I. THE CONTENTIOUS PERSON . ( Proverbs 25:8 .) He is irritable, easily takes offence, is readily provoked, barbs even the playful darts of jest with poison. When the consequences of this ill temper have broken out in full force, its mischief is seen and exposed too late. Beware, then, of "entrance to a quarrel." The contentious man may make real in the end the enmity of which he only dreams. II. MANFUL CONDUCT IN DISPUTES . ( Proverbs 25:9 .) If an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:9

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself ( Matthew 18:15 ; see on Matthew 18:8 ). If you have any quarrel with a neighbour, or are drawn into a controversy with him, deal with him privately in a friendly manner. And discover not a secret to another; rather, the secret of another . Do not bring in a third party, or make use of anything entrusted to you by another person, or of which you have become privately informed, in order to support your cause. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:9-10

A tetrastich without parallelism, connected with the preceding maxim. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:10

Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame; i . e . lest any one, not the offended neighbour only, who hears how treacherous you have been, makes your proceeding known and cries shame upon you. And thine infamy turn not away. The stigma attached to you be never obliterated. Thus Siracides: "Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind. Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou bewrayest his secrets, follow no more after him. For as... read more

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