Proverbs 14:21-18:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:21

See here how men's character and condition are measured and judged of by their conduct towards their poor neighbours. 1. Those that look upon them with contempt have here assigned them a bad character, and their condition will be accordingly: He that despises his neighbour because he is low in the world, because he is of a mean extraction, rustic education, and makes but a mean figure, that thinks it below him to take notice of him, converse with him, or concern himself about him, and sets him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:21

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth ,.... He that despiseth his neighbour in his heart, speaks slightly of him, overlooks him, is not friendly to him, will neither converse with him, nor relieve him in his necessity; for it seems to be understood of his poor neighbour; and so the Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "he that despiseth the poor"; that despises him for his poverty; because of his pedigree and education, and the low circumstances he is in; or on account of his weakness... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:21

He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth - To despise a man because he has some natural blemish is unjust, cruel, and wicked. He is not the author of his own imperfections; they did not occur through his fault or folly; and if he could, he would not retain them. It is, therefore, unjust and wicked to despise him for what is not his fault, but his misfortune. But he that hath mercy on the poor - Who reproaches no man for his poverty or scanty intellect, but divides his bread with the hungry... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:17-29

(See homily on Proverbs 16:32 .)—C. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:20-27

Causes and effects To grasp this principle—there is nothing causeless and unaccountable in life—and to apply it is one of the main principles of wisdom. Let us note some of its applications— I. TO SOCIAL RELATIONS . 1 . Poverty an object of dislike, and riches magnetic of good will. ( Proverbs 14:20 .) Widespread parallels may be found in ancient literature to this saying. Its truth is equally obvious today. It is a truth of human nature, and has its bad and its good... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:21

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth. Taken in connection with the preceding verse, this teaches that it is a sin to despise and shun a man because he is poor or of low estate; such a one has a claim for love and pity, and it is a crime to withhold them from him for selfish considerations. The Christian view is taught by the parable of the good Samaritan. But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he; hail to him! ( Proverbs 16:20 ). Contempt is contrasted with mercy, sin with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:21

The sin of contempt We are in danger of despising our neighbours. The rich despise the poor, the learned despise the ignorant, the strong and healthy despise the weak and ailing, the devout despise the irreverent. But we are wrong in doing this. There is, indeed, one thing which may draw down a strong and even intense reprobation—moral baseness, meanness, a cruel and heartless selfishness, or a slavish abandonment to vice. But even there we may not wholly despise our neighbour; unmitigated... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:21

Proverbs 14:21. He that despiseth his neighbour That doth not pity and relieve the poor, as this is explained in the next clause; sinneth And therefore shall be punished for his inhumanity, which is opposed to his being happy, in the next branch; but he that hath mercy on the poor That shows his compassion for them by his bounty to them; happy is he He doth a worthy action, and shall be blessed in his deed. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-35

Hidden feelings and motives (14:1-35)Wisdom builds, but folly destroys. People’s actions reveal their attitude to God (14:1-2). The wisdom of their speech and their commitment to hard work are among the things that determine whether they progress or come to ruin (3-5). Those who think they know everything can never become truly wise and therefore can never have right discernment in the moral issues of life (6-8).Good people may prosper and evil people may suffer loss, but outward appearances do... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 14:21

sinneth. Hebrew. chata hath mercy on = is gracious to. the poor = an afflicted one. Hebrew. 'anah. See note on Proverbs 6:11 . happy. See note on Proverbs 3:13 . read more

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