Proverbs 14:21-26 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:22

See here, 1. How miserably mistaken those are that not only do evil, but devise it: Do they not err? Yes, certainly they do; every one knows it. They think that by sinning with craft and contrivance, and carrying on their intrigues with more plot and artifice than others, they shall make a better hand of their sins than others do, and come off better. But they are mistaken. God's justice cannot be out-witted. Those that devise evil against their neighbours greatly err, for it will certainly... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:23

Note, 1. Working, without talking, will make men rich: In all labour of the head, or of the hand, there is profit; it will turn to some good account or other. Industrious people are generally thriving people, and where there is something done there is something to be had. The stirring hand gets a penny. It is good th 40cb erefore to keep in business, and to keep in action, and what our hand finds to do to do it with all our might. 2. Talking, without working, will make men poor. Those that... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:24

Observe, 1. If men be wise and good, riches make them so much the more honourable and useful: The crown of the wise is their riches; their riches make them to be so much the more respected, and give them the more authority and influence upon others. Those that have wealth, and wisdom to use it, will have a great opportunity of honouring God and doing good in the world. Wisdom is good without an inheritance, but better with it. 2. If men be wicked and corrupt, their wealth will but the more... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:25

See here, 1. How much praise is due to a faithful witness: He delivers the souls of the innocent, who are falsely accused, and their good names, which are as dear to them as their lives. A man of integrity will venture the displeasure of the greatest, to bring truth to light and rescue those who are injured by falsehood. A faithful minister, who truly witnesses for God against sin, is thereby instrumental to deliver souls from eternal death. 2. How little regard is to be had to a false... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:26-27

In these two verses we are invited and encouraged to live in the fear of God by the advantages which attend a religious life. The fear of the Lord is here put for all gracious principles, producing gracious practices. 1. Where this reigns it produces a holy security and serenity of mind. There is in it a strong confidence; it enables a man still to hold fast both his purity and his peace, whatever happens, and gives him boldness before God and the world. I know that I shall be justified?None... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:22

Do they not err that devise evil ?.... Certainly they do; they go astray from the right way, from the word of truth, from the Gospel of Christ, who contrive schemes to commit sin, and do mischief to their neighbours; or who "plough" F20 חרש "arant", Baynus; "arantibus", Amama; "verbum proprie significat arare", Piscator. it, and sow it, and expect a fine harvest; but they will be mistaken, and find it will not turn to account, and that they have took a wrong course, and have gone out... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:23

In all labour there is profit ,.... Or "abundance" F21 מותר "abundantia", Tigurine version, Baynus, Mercerus, Gejerus. ; much is got by it, food, raiment, riches, wealth, wisdom, honour; either with the labour of the hands or head, and nothing is to be got without labour; and he that is laborious in his calling, whether it be by manual operation, working with his hands that which is good; or by hard study, much reading, and constant meditation, is like to gain much for his own use... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:24

The crown of the wise is their riches ,.... Riches being used by them to increase and improve their knowledge and wisdom, and for the good of men, are an honour to them, and give them credit and reputation among men of sense and goodness; see Ecclesiastes 7:11 ; but the foolishness of fools is folly ; mere folly, extreme folly, just the same as it was; riches make them never the wiser; yea, their folly is oftentimes made more manifest through the ill use they make of their... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:26-27

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:24

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