Proverbs 27:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:8

Note, 1. There are many that do not know when they are well off, but are uneasy with their present condition, and given to change. God, in his providence, has appointed them a place fit for them and has made it comfortable to them; but they affect unsettledness; they love to wander; they are glad of a pretence to go abroad, and do not care for staying long at a place; they needlessly absent themselves from their own work and care, and meddle with that which belongs not to them. 2. Those that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:8

As a bird that wandereth from her nest ,.... To seek for food for herself and her young; or that leaves it without returning to it, and so her eggs or her young are exposed, and she herself liable to fall into the hands of birds of prey, or of the fowler, when she would be safe in her nest; as there was a law in Israel in her favour, Deuteronomy 22:6 ; or as one that is forced out and obliged to wander from place to place, Isaiah 16:2 ; so is a man that wandereth from his place ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:8

Is a bird that wandereth from her nest - Leaving her own brood, places of retreat, and feeding-ground behind, and going into strange countries, where she is exposed to every kind of danger. So is the man who leaves his family connections and country, and goes into strange parts to find employment, better his circumstances, make a fortune, etc. I have seen multitudes of such wanderers from their place come to great misery and wretchedness. God's general advice is, "Do good, and dwell in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:2-21

The praise of man How far we should go in praising others, and in what spirit we should accept their praise, is a matter of no small importance in the conduct of life. I. THE DUTY OF PRAISING OTHERS . "Let another man praise thee" can hardly be said to be imperative so far as he is concerned. But it suggests the propriety of another man speaking in words of commendation. And the duty of praising those who have done well is a much-forgotten and neglected virtue. I. It is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:5-19

Four services of friendship (And see homily on "Friendship," Proverbs 13:20 .) We have suggested in the nineteenth verse two conditions of friendship: There can be no true friendship where one heart does not answer to another as the face reflected from a mirror answers to that which is before it. Men must be like minded in their principles and sympathies; and they must be sensitive enough to feel with one another and to give back the thoughts which are expressed by one or the other,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:7-8

The blessing of contentment I. THE CONTENTED MIND . ( Proverbs 27:7 .) "Enough is as good as a feast;" "Hunger is the best sauce." To know when we are well off is the cure for the canker of envy and discontent. Deprivation for a time teaches us the need of common blessings. The good of affliction is that it brings us nearer to God; and of poverty of spirit, that it is never without food. II. THE EVIL OF RESTLESSNESS . ( Proverbs 27:8 .) "The rolling stone gathers no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:8

As a bird that wandereth from her nest. Jerome's avis transmigrans conveys to us a notion of a migratory bird taking its annual journey. But the idea here is of a bird which leaves its own nest either wantonly or from some external reason, and thereby exposes itself to d so comfort and danger (comp. Isaiah 16:2 ). So is a man that wandereth from his place ; i . e . his own home (comp. Ecclesiasticus 29:21, etc; and 36:28 in Vet. Lat; " Quis credit ei qui non habet nidum, et... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:8

A bird wandering from her nest Let us consider first in what respects a man may be said to be wandering from his place, and then how the evil of this condition may be illustrated by the metaphor of a bird wandering from its nest. I. HOW A MAN MAY WANDER FROM HIS PLACE . 1 . He may leave the work he is suited for . There is no reason why a man should not endeavour to rise in the social scale. Christianity does not consecrate any system of caste. But there are works... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:8

(See homily on Proverbs 27:23-27 .)—C. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 27:8

Proverbs 27:8. As a bird that wandereth from her nest That flies very much abroad from place to place, whereby she is exposed to all the arts of fowlers, and to birds of prey; so is a man that wandereth from his place That, through vanity or lightness, changes the place of his abode or his calling; the ill effects whereof have been frequently observed. The LXX. read, Like as a bird is taken when it leaves its nest, so is a man reduced to servitude when he quits his habitation. read more

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