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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:15

This may be taken two ways:?1. As a reason why we should be diligent in our business, that we may avoid that sinking dispiriting uneasiness which attends poverty, and may enjoy the benefit and comfort which those have that are beforehand in the world. Taking pains is really the way to make ourselves and our families easy. Or, rather, 2. As a representation of the common mistakes both of rich and poor, concerning their outward condition. (1.) Rich people think themselves happy because they are... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:16

Solomon here confirms what his father had said (Ps. 37:16), A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. 1. Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for; he eats only the labour of his hands, but that labour tends to life; he aims at nothing but to get an honest livelihood, covets not to be rich and great, but is willing to live and maintain his family. Nor does it tend only to his own life, but he would enable himself to do good to others; he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:15

The rich man's wealth is his strong city ,.... What a fortified city is to persons in time of war, that is a rich man's wealth to him; by it he can defend himself from the injuries of others, and support himself and family in times of public calamity; for money is a defence, and answers all things, Ecclesiastes 7:12 . Or his wealth is so in his own apprehension and conceit; he puts his trust and confidence in it, and thinks himself safe and secure by it; when he is trusting to uncertain... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:16

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life ,.... To natural life, and the support of it; all that he labours for is to get a livelihood for himself and family; that is all he desires, nor does he seek great things for himself: or to spiritual life; so his spiritual exercises in praying, reading, and hearing the word, and waiting upon ordinances, have a tendency to promote and maintain a spiritual life in him: or to eternal life; not that the works of a righteous man (so the Targum,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 10:15

The rich man's wealth is his strong city - Behold a mystery in providence; there is not a rich man on earth but becomes such by means of the poor! Property comes from the labor of the poor, and the king himself is served of the field. How unjust, diabolically so, is it to despise or oppress those by whose labor all property is acquired! The destruction of the poor is their poverty - A man in abject poverty never arises out of this pit. They have no nucleus about which property may... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 10:16

The labor of the righteous - The good man labors that he may be able to support life; this is his first object: and then to have something to divide with the poor; this is his next object. The fruit of the wicked to sin - This man lives to eat and drink, and his property he spends in riot and excess. God's blessings are cursed to him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:1-32

The service of speech, etc "Man is a talking animal," we say. But if we are distinguished from the brute creation by the mere fact of speech, how truly are we divided from one another by the use we make of that human faculty! To what height of worthiness one man may rise, and what inestimable service he may render, but to what depth of wrong another man may fall, and what mischief he may work, by the use of his tongue! I. THE SERVICE OF SPEECH . "By our words" we may do great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:15

His strong city ( Proverbs 18:11 ). Wealth is a help in many ways, securing from dangers, giving time and opportunity for acquiring wisdom, making one independent and free in action ( Ecclesiastes 7:12 ; Ec 40:25, etc.). The destruction of the poor is their poverty. The poor are crushed, exposed to all kinds of evil, moral and material, by their want of means. The word for poor is here dal, which implies weakness and inability to help one's self; the other word commonly used for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:15-21

A sevenfold strain of experience For the most part these sayings relate to earthly goods—their value, and the means for their acquisition. Godliness has the promise of both lives. Equally incredible would a religion which ignored the future be with one which ignored the present. Equally one-sided is the expectation only of earthly good from wisdom, and the expectation only of heavenly good. We must beware of a false materializing and of a false spiritualizing of religion. I. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:16

Tendeth to life ( Proverbs 11:19 ). Honest labour brings its own reward in the blessing of God and a long and peaceful life. The fruit of the wicked. All the profit that the wicked make they use in the service of sin, which tends only to death ( Romans 6:21 ). The due reward of honourable industry is contrasted with the gains obtained by any means, discreditable or not. read more

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