Proverbs 27:2-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:2

Note, 1. We must do that which is commendable, for which even strangers may praise us. Our light must shine before men, and we must do good works that may be seen, though we must not do them on purpose that they may be seen. Let our own works be such as will praise us, even in the gates, Phil. 4:8. 2. When we have done it we must not commend ourselves, for that is an evidence of pride, folly, and self-love, and a great lessening to a man's reputation. Every one will be forward to run him down... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:3-4

These two verses show the intolerable mischief, 1. Of ungoverned passion. The wrath of a fool, who when he is provoked cares not what he says and does, is more grievous than a great stone or a load of sand. It lies heavily upon himself. Those who have no command of their passions do themselves even sink under the load of them. The wrath of a fool lies heavily upon those he is enraged at, to whom, in his fury, he will be in danger of doing some mischief. It is therefore our wisdom not to give... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:2

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth ,.... Men should do those things which are praiseworthy; and should do them openly, that they may be seen and praised for them: for it is honourable to have such a character as Demetrius had, who had a good report of all men; and as the brother had, whose praise in the Gospel was in all the churches. To be commended by others, by any but a man's self, is to his credit and reputation; but nothing more hurtful to it than self-commendation;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:3

A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty ,.... As was the stone which was at the well's mouth, where Laban's flocks were watered, which could not be rolled away till all the shepherds were gathered together, Genesis 29:2 ; and like the burdensome stone Jerusalem is compared to Zechariah 12:3 ; and as that at the sepulchre of Christ, rolled away by the angel, Matthew 28:2 . And sand is a very ponderous thing; difficult to be carried, as the Septuagint render it, as a bag of it is; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous ,.... Or "an inundation" F24 שטף "inundatio", Michaelis, so Montanus, Vatablus, Tigurine version, "exundatio", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "inundatio salcans", Schultens. ; it is like the breaking in of the sea, or a flood of mighty waters, which know no bounds, and there is no stopping them: so cruel and outrageous were the wrath and anger of Simeon and Levi, in destroying the Shechemites; of Pharaoh, in making the Israelites to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:2

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth - We have a similar proverb, which illustrates this: "Self-praise is no commendation." read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:4

Who is able to stand before envy? - The rabbins have a curious story on this subject, and it has been formed by the moderns into a fable. There were two persons, one covetous and the other envious, to whom a certain person promised to grant whatever they should ask; but double to him who should ask last. The covetous man would not ask first, because he wished to get the double portion, and the envious man would not make the first request because he could not bear the thoughts of thus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

These verses are grouped in pairs, each two being connected in subject. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

Beastliness, jealousy, and hypocrisy I. OVER CONFIDENCE REBUKED . ( Proverbs 27:1 .) 1 . On the ground of our limited knowledge. The homely proverb says, "Do not count your chickens before they are hatched." The future exists for us only in imagination. "Who knows," asks Horace, "whether the gods above will add tomorrow's time to the sum of today?" ('Od.,' Proverbs 4:7 . 17); and Seneca, "None hath gods so favourable as that he may promise himself tomorrow's good." 2 . On... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:2

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; Septuagint, "Let thy neighbour ( ὁ πέλας ) laud thee." A stranger; גָכְרִי , properly, "an unknown person from an unknown country;" but, like זר in the former hemistich, used indifferently for "another" (see on Proverbs 2:16 ). "If I honour myself," said our Lord ( John 8:54 ), "my honour is nothing" And as St. Paul testifies ( 2 Corinthians 10:18 ), "Not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord... read more

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