Proverbs 12:16-18 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:16

Note, 1. Passion is folly: A fool is known by his anger (so some read it); not but that a wise man may be angry when there is just cause for it, but then he has his anger under check and direction, is lord of his anger, whereas a fool's anger lords it over him. He that, when he is provoked, breaks out into indecent expressions, in words or behaviour, whose passion alters his countenance, makes him outrageous, and leads him to forget himself, Nabal certainly is his name and folly is with him. A... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:17

Here is, 1. A faithful witness commended for an honest man. He that makes conscience of speaking truth, and representing every thing fairly, to the best of his knowledge, whether in judgment or in common conversation, whether he be upon his oath or no, he shows forth righteousness; he makes it to appear that he is governed and actuated by the principles and laws of righteousness, and he promotes justice by doing honour to it and serving the administration of it. 2. A false witness condemned... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:18

The tongue is death or life, poison or medicine, as it is used. 1. There are words that are cutting and killing, that are like the piercings of a sword. Opprobrious words grieve the spirits of those to whom they are spoken, and cut them to the heart. Slanders, like a sword, wound the reputation of those of whom they are uttered, and perhaps incurably. Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, divide and cut asunder the bounds of love and friendship, and separate those that have been dearest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:16

A fool's wrath is presently known ,.... Having no command of himself, he cannot repress it, nor keep it in; no sooner is he provoked but he shows it in his countenance, and by his words and actions; it is to be seen in the fire of his eyes, in the frowns of his face, in the gnashing of his teeth, and in the stamping of his feet, as well as in the bitter expressions of his mouth: or "a fool's wrath in that day is known" F2 ביום "eo die quo irritatur", Tigurine version; "eodem die",... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:17

He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness ,.... He that "blows" or "breathes out truth" F4 יפיח "effiat", Junius & Tremellius; "spirat", Schultens. , as the word signifies; that utters it freely and fully without any hesitation; that speaks nothing but truth, and speaks out the whole truth without any reserve; such a man upon every occasion will declare that which is just and right, and show himself to be an honest and upright man; he that uses himself to speak truth... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:18

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword ,.... Whose words are like sharp swords, cutting, wounding, dividing, killing; see Psalm 57:4 ; such are the words of false witnesses, who by their false testimonies and perjuries are as guilty of the murder of men as cutthroats; such are the words of slanderers, backbiters, and talebearers, who grieve the innocent, wound their characters, destroy their good name and credit, and separate chief friends; and such are the words of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:16

A fool's wrath is presently known - We have a proverb very like this, and it will serve for illustration: - A fool's bolt is soon shot. A weak-minded man has no self-government; he is easily angered, and generally speaks whatever comes first to his mind. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:18

There is that speaketh - Instead of בוטה boteh , blabbing out, blustering, several MSS. have בוטח boteach , Trusting: and instead of כמדקרות kemadkeroth , As the piercings, seven MSS., with the Complutensian Polyglot, have במדקרות bemadkeroth , In the piercings. "There is that trusteth in the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." But I suppose the former to be the true reading. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:12-22

Virtues and vices in civil life I. SOME VICES OF SOCIETY . 1 . Envious greed. ( Proverbs 12:12 .) The wicked desires the "takings" of the evil. It is a general description of greedy strife and competition, one man trying to forestall another in the bargain, or to profit at the expense of his loss; a mutually destructive process, a grinding of egoistic passions against one another, so that there can be no mutual confidence nor peace ( Isaiah 48:22 ; Isaiah 57:21 ). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:16

A fool's wrath is presently ("in the day," αὐθημερόν ) known. A foolish man, if he is vexed, insulted, or slighted, has no idea of controlling himself or checking the expression of his aroused feelings; he at once, in the same day on which he has been incensed, makes his vexation known. A prudent man covereth— concealeth— shame ; takes no notice of an affront at the moment, knowing that by resenting it he will only make matters worse, and that it is best to let passions cool before... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:12-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:16

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