Proverbs 11:22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:22

By discretion here we must understand religion and grace, a true taste and relish (so the word signifies) of the honours and pleasures that attend an unspotted virtue; so that a woman without discretion is a woman of a loose and dissolute conversation; and then observe, 1. It is taken for granted here that beauty or comeliness of body is as a jewel of gold, a thing very valuable, and, where there is wisdom and grace to guard against the temptations of it, it is a great ornament, (Gratior est... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:22

As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout ,.... The allusion seems to be to the ringing of swine, to prevent their rooting up the earth; which is usually done by putting an iron ring into their snout; which is much more proper and suitable than a gold ring, or a jewel set in gold, which is very unbecoming such a creature; and is soon had to the dunghill, or to some miry place, and there defiled; so is a fair woman which is without discretion ; or, "has departed from taste" F25 וסרת ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 11:22

A jewel of gold in a swine's snout - That is, beauty in a woman destitute of good breeding and modest carriage, is as becoming as a gold ring on the snout of a swine. Coverdale translates thus: "A fayre woman without discrete maners, is like a ringe of golde in a swyne's snoute." In Asiatic countries the nose jewel is very common: to this the text alludes. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:3-31

The pricelessness of integrity We have here a view of the exceeding worth of moral integrity, or of righteousness; we see what, in the judgment of the wise, it will do for its possessor. It will— I. DIRECT HIS WAY . "The integrity of the upright shall guide them; …the righteousness of the perfect [ i.e. the upright] shall direct his way" ( Proverbs 11:3-5 ). And we read. ( Proverbs 10:9 ) that "he that walketh uprightly walketh surely." The man who honestly and earnestly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:22

This is the first instance of direct "similitude" in the book. As a jewel [a ring] of gold in a swine's snout. The greatest incongruity is thus expressed. Women in the East wore, and still sometimes wear, a ring run through the nostril, and hanging over the mouth, so that it is necessary to hold it up when taking food. Such a nezem Abraham's servant gave to Rebekah ( Genesis 24:22 ; comp. Isaiah 3:21 ; Ezekiel 16:12 ). The Septuagint has ἐνώτιον , "an earring." So is a fair... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:22

Beauty ill set off The comparison of the gold ring in the swine's snout suggests the idea of glaring incongruity. And the like is the incongruity between beauty and impurity in woman. I. THE SOURCE OF OUR DELIGHT IN PHYSICAL BEAUTY IS THAT IT EXPRESSES MORAL WORTH . Philosophers have always found it impossible to define the beautiful as an object. Analysis at last results in this—that in every beautiful object we detect an analogy to some perception in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 11:22

Proverbs 11:22. As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout Which would not adorn the swine, but only be disparaged itself; so is a fair woman without discretion Who disgraceth the beauty of her body by a foolish and filthy mind. There seems to be an allusion in these words to a custom prevalent in the East, of wearing jewels upon their noses: see on Job 42:11. The meaning evidently is, “As a jewel of gold would be ill placed in the snout of a swine, which is always raking in the mire; so is... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:1-31

Prosperity; uprightness; generosity (11:1-31)People are foolish to try to get rich by dishonest methods, because dishonesty brings judgment from which riches cannot save (11:1-4). By their blameless conduct, people ensure their ultimate victory; by crookedness they ensure their downfall (5-8). When good people have influence in a city, the citizens live in peace and happiness. But each city also has its troublemakers, who are a nuisance to their neighbours and create unrest in the community... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 11:22

jewel = a nose-jewel, worn by women. See Genesis 24:47 . Isaiah 3:21 . fair = beautiful. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 11:22

"As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a fair woman without discretion.""If a beautiful woman is foolish, it is the same as a gold ring in a pig's nose."[26] The word `discretion' is a very comprehensive term. "It signifies physical taste, intellectual discrimination, sound judgment and moral uprightness."[27] read more

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