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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:24-26

There is cause to complain, not only of the want of sincerity in men's profession of friendship, and that they do not love so well as they pretend nor will serve their friends so much as they promise, but, which is much worse, of wicked designs in the profession of friendship, and the making of it subservient to the most malicious intentions. This is here spoken of as a common thing (Prov. 26:24): He that hates his neighbour, and is contriving to do him a mischief, yet dissembles with his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not ,.... Gives good words, flatters with his lips, pretends great kindness and favour, expresses himself in a very gracious and amiable manner, in order to gain attention and respect; or when he delivers himself in a submissive and suppliant way, with great humility and deference; or in a mournful and pitiful strain, as if he had the most tender affection and concern; be not too credulous; do not suffer yourselves to be imposed upon by him; be upon your... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:25

When he speaketh fair - For there are such hypocrites and false friends in the world. Believe him not - Let all his professions go for nothing. For there are seven abominations in his heart - That is, he is full of abominations. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:17-28

A series of proverbs connected more or less with peacefulness and its opposite. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:20-28

Spite, cunning, and deceit I. THE TALE BEARER AND MISCHIEF MAKER . ( Proverbs 26:20-22 .) 1 . His inflammatory character . ( Proverbs 26:20 , Proverbs 26:21 .) He keeps alive quarrels which, but for his vice, would die down for want of fuel. It is easy to fire the imagination with tales of evil, not so easy to quench the flames thus kindled. If the character is odious, let us beware of countenancing it by opening our ears to scandal. Personal gossip has in our day... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:23-28

On guard Unfortunately, we have to treat men as we find them, not as we wish that they were and as their Creator meant them to be. We are compelled to learn caution as we pass on our way. I. OUR FIRST DUTY AND ITS NATURAL REWARD . Our first duty, natural to the young and the unsophisticated, is to be frank, open-minded, sincere, trustful; to say all that is in our heart, and to expect others to do the same; to believe that men mean what they say and say what they mean.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not. When he lowers his voice to a winning, agreeable tone, put no trust in him. Septuagint, "If thine enemy entreat thee with a loud voice, be not persuaded." For there are seven abominations in his heart. His heart is filled with a host of evil thoughts (see on Proverbs 26:16 ), as if seven devils had entered in and dwelt there. Ecclesiastes 12:10 , etc. "Never trust thine enemy; for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness. Though he humble... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 26:24-26

Proverbs 26:24-26. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips Hebrew, ינכר , carries himself like another man, that is, pretends love and kindness; and layeth up deceit within him Means, by counterfeiting kindness, only the more easily and securely to deceive thee. When he speaketh fair Hebrew, יחנן קולו , uses gracious or supplicating language, gives thee the kindest words, and assures thee he is sincere; believe him not Give no credit to his flatteries and professions of esteem and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-28

Fools and troublemakers (26:1-28)Only a fool honours a fool, and only a fool curses another without cause. Such a curse cannot come true (26:1-2). People with wisdom know on which occasions to ignore a fool and on which occasions to answer him (3-5). Fools cannot be trusted. For them, proverbs are as useless as paralysed legs, and honour is as useless as a stone tied to the sling that is supposed to throw it out (6-8). Fools with a little knowledge can be dangerous. As employees, they can... read more

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