Proverbs 14:11-12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:11

Note, 1. Sin is the ruin of great families: The house of the wicked, though built ever so strong and high, shall be overthrown, shall be brought to poverty and disgrace, and at length be extinct. His hope for heaven, the house on which he leans, shall not stand, but fail in the storm; the deluge that comes will sweep it away. 2. Righteousness is the rise and stability even of mean families: Even the tabernacle of the upright, though movable and despicable as a tent, shall flourish, in outward... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:12

We have here an account of the way and end of a great many self-deluded souls. 1. Their way is seemingly fair: It seems right to themselves; they please themselves with a fancy that they are as they should be, that their opinions and practices are good, and such as will bear them out. The way of ignorance and carelessness, the way of worldliness and earthly-mindedness, the way of sensuality and flesh-pleasing, seem right to those that walk in them, much more the way of hypocrisy in religion,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:11

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown ,.... Houses built to perpetuate their names and eternize their memory; and which, though built high and stately, strong and firm, yet by one accident or another shall come to ruin, when they imagined they would continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations, Psalm 49:11 ; or their families shall become extinct, none to be their heirs and inherit their estates, and transmit their name to posterity; or the substance of their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man ,.... As the way of sin and wickedness does, it promising much carnal pleasure and mirth; there is a great deal of company in it, it is a broad road, and is pleasant, and seems right, but it leads to destruction; so the way of the hypocrite and Pharisee that trusts to his own righteousness, and despises others, and even the righteousness of Christ; or however does not submit to it, but tramples upon him, and counts the blood of the covenant an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man - This may be his easily besetting sin, the sin of his constitution, the sin of his trade. Or it may be his own false views of religion: he may have an imperfect repentance, a false faith, a very false creed; and he may persuade himself that he is in the direct way to heaven. Many of the papists, when they were burning the saints of God in the flames at Smithfield, thought they were doing God service! And in the late Irish massacre, the more of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:8-19

The understanding of one's way I. THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE . ( Proverbs 14:8 .) To note, to observe, to take heed to one's way, is the characteristic of the man who is prudent for time and wise for eternity. And, on the contrary, the very principle of folly is self-deception—to be followed in turn by a terrible awakening to sobriety and recognition of the truth (comp. Psalms 7:15 ; Job 4:8 ). The right way is illustrated both positively and negatively. II. SOME PARTICULAR ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:10-13

Loneliness and laughter The tenth verse suggests to us the serious and solemnizing fact of— I. THE ELEMENT OF LONELINESS IN HUMAN LIFE . "The heart knoweth its own bitterness," etc. In one aspect our life path is thronged. It is becoming more and more difficult to be alone. Hours that were once sacred to solitude are now invaded by society. And yet it remains true that "in the central depths of our nature we are alone." There is a point at which, as he goes inward, our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:11

The house … the tabernacle. The house of the wicked, which they build and beautify and love, and which they look upon as a lasting home, shall perish; the hope which they founded upon it shall come to a speedy end ( Proverbs 12:7 ); but the righteous rear only a tent on earth, as becomes those who are strangers and pilgrims; and yet this abode is more secure, the hopes founded upon it are more lasting, for it continues unto everlasting life. The text in its first sense probably means that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:12

This verse occurs again in Proverbs 16:25 . There is a way which seemeth right unto a man. This may refer to the blinding effects of passion and self-will; for these make a man think his own way best and most desirable. But it seems better to take it as a warning against following a perverted or uninstructed conscience. Conscience needs to be informed by God's Word and ruled by God's will to make it a safe guide. When properly regulated, it is able to pronounce a verdict upon contemplated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:12

The way that seemeth right I. ITS ATTRACTIVE APPEARANCE . This way does not only seem pleasant; it seems to be right. This is a course of life which a man is tempted to follow because it flatters him with fair promises. 1 . It promises good. We are greatly tempted to judge of the means by the end, and, if we think that the thing to be attained is good, to condone the questionable conduct that secures it. Thus men have justified 2 . It flatters self-will. Men believe in... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:8-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:10-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:12

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