Proverbs 14:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:4

Note, 1. The neglect of husbandry is the way to poverty: Where no oxen are, to till the ground and tread out the corn, the crib is empty, is clean; there is no straw for the cattle, and consequently no bread for the service of man. Scarcity is represented by cleanness of teeth, Amos 4:6. Where no oxen are there is nothing to be done at the ground, and then nothing to be had out of it; the crib indeed is clean from dung, which pleases the neat and nice, that cannot endure husbandry because... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:4

Where no oxen are the crib is clean ,.... Or "empty" F26 בר "vacuum", V. L. Munster, Pagninus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Amama; so the Syriac version. , so Jarchi and Aben Ezra. Oxen were used in Judea in several parts of husbandry; in ploughing the land, bringing home the corn, and in threshing or treading it out, Deuteronomy 22:10 . Now where these are not, or not used, where husbandry is neglected, there is no straw in the crib for beasts, and much less food for men; or rather, no... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:4

But much increase is by the strength of the ox - The ox is the most profitable of all the beasts used in husbandry. Except merely for speed, he is almost in every respect superior to the horse. He is longer lived. Scarcely liable to any diseases. He is steady, and always pulls fair in his gears. He lives, fattens, and maintains his strength on what a horse will not eat, and therefore is supported on one third the cost. His manure is more profitable. When he is worn out in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-7

Traits of wisdom and folly I. FEMININE WISDOM . ( Proverbs 14:1 .) 1 . Its peculiar scope is the home. Women are physically and morally constructed with a view to the stationary life and settled pursuits of home. Its comfort, the strength of the race, the well being of society, are rooted, more than in any other human means, in the character, the principle, the love and truth of the wife and mother. 2 . The absence of it is one of the commonest causes of domestic misery.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:4

Where no oxen ( cattle ) are, the crib is clean. This does not mean, as some take it, that labour has its rough, disagreeable side, yet in the end brings profit; but rather that without bullocks to labour in the fields, or cows to supply milk—that is, without toil and industry, and necessary instruments—the crib is empty, there is nothing to put in the granary, there are no beasts to fatten. The means must be adapted to the end. Much increase is by the strength of the ox. This,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:4

Daintiness and usefulness It is a very great thing to prefer the greater to the smaller, the more serious to the less serious, in the regulation of our life. It makes all the difference between success and failure, between wisdom and folly. I. A SERIOUS MISTAKE , to prefer nicety or daintiness to fruitfulness or usefulness. This grave mistake is made by the farmer who would rather have a clean crib than a quantity of valuable manure; by the housewife who cares more for the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:4

Proverbs 14:4. Where no oxen are, the crib is clean The crib and stable may be easily kept clean where there are few or no oxen: but there is so much advantage arising from tilling the ground, that it is better to have a litter with plenty of oxen, than to have great neatness without them. Some think this is spoken of those who boast much of constant neatness about their houses, &c., which, at the same time, shows they carry on but little business. For where there is much business done,... 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 14:4

oxen. While these were multiplied, horses were prohibited. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 14:4

"Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox."The things that are most desirable always carry with them certain inconveniences. Rearing a family leads to all kinds of obligations, sacrifices, inconveniences and even sufferings and hardships. There's noise where children are, and there's uncleanness in the stall of the ox. This rendition of the second clause stresses the benefit of having oxen, even along with the dirty crib. "Where there is abundant... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-35

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 14:4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 14:4

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