Proverbs 15:13-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:13

Here, 1. Harmless mirth is recommended to us, as that which contributes to the health of the body, making men lively and fit for business, and to the acceptableness of the conversation, making the face to shine and rendering us pleasant one to another. A cheerful spirit, under the government of wisdom and grace, is a great ornament to religion, puts a further lustre upon the beauty of holiness, and makes men the more capable of doing good. 2. Hurtful melancholy is what we are cautioned... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:14

Here are two things to be wondered at:?1. A wise man not satisfied with his wisdom, but still seeking the increase of it; the more he has the more he would have: The heart of him that has understanding, rejoices so in the knowledge it has attained to that it is still coveting more, and in the use of the means of knowledge is still labouring for more, growing in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ. Si dixisti, Sufficit, periisti?If you say, I have enough, you are undone. 2. A fool well... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:13

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance ,.... Or, a "joyful heart" F3 לב שמח "cor gaudens", V. L. Baynus. ; that is joyful in the God of its salvation; that rejoices in Christ Jesus; is filled with joy and peace through believing in him, in his person, blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; that has a comfortable view of his justification by his righteousness, of peace and pardon by his blood, of the atonement of his sins by his sacrifice; to whom he has said, "be of good cheer,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:14

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge ,.... He that has in his heart an understanding of divine and spiritual things, of the Gospel and of the truths of it, will seek earnestly and diligently in the use of proper means after more knowledge; as he will desire to know more of Christ, his person, offices, and grace, he will follow on to know him, and not be content with the present degree of knowledge he has attained unto; he will hear and read the word, and pray and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 15:13

By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken - Every kind of sorrow worketh death, but that which is the offspring of true repentance. This alone is healthful to the soul. The indulgence of a disposition to sighing tends to destroy life. Every deep sigh throws off a portion of the vital energy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:12-15

Sullen folly and cheerful wisdom I. DISLIKE OF CRITICISM . ( Proverbs 15:12 .) Often seen in those who are most critical themselves. The jiber is easily galled by a telling retort. The satirical man least loves satire upon himself. But one of the lessons we learn from truly great minds is that of willingness to turn a jest against one's self, and to find positive pleasure in a criticism of one's own character that hits the mark, provided it be good natured. But with ill nature no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:13

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. The face is the index of the condition of the mind. "In the forehead and the eye The lecture of the mind doth lie." And, again, "A blithe heart makes a blooming visage" (comp. Ecclesiasticus 13:25, etc.). Septuagint, "When the heart is glad, the face bloometh ( θάλλει )." But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken ( Proverbs 12:25 ). Happiness is shown in the outward look, but sorrow has a deeper and more abiding influence; it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:13

A joyous heart or a broken spirit These are the two extremes. The less we have of the one the more we tend towards the other. The first is encouraged that it may save us from the disasters of the second condition. I. THE CONDITION OF THE HEART IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE . "Out of it are the issues of life" ( Proverbs 4:23 ). The first essential for one whose life has been wrong is the creation of "a clean heart" ( Psalms 51:10 ). According as we think and feel in our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:13-17

The source of satisfaction We learn— I. THAT THERE SOMETIMES RESTS A LONG AND DEEP SHADOW ON THE PATH OF HUMAN LIFE . 1 . Sometimes a long one. "All the days of the afflicted are evil." They are not a few who have to make up their minds for many months or years of separation or pain, or even for a lifelong trouble. They know that they will carry their burden to the grave. 2 . Sometimes a deep one. "By sorrow of heart the spirit is broken." The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:14

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge ( Proverbs 18:15 ). The wise man knows that he knows nothing, and is always seeking to learn more. σοφία γάρ ἐστι καὶ μαθεῖν ὂ μὴ νοεῖς "To learn what thou hast never thought is wisdom." The mouth of fools. Another reading, is "the face of fools;" but the former is more suitable to what follows. Feedeth on foolishness. So the Vulgate and Septuagint, "The mouth of the undisciplined knoweth evil." The fool is... read more

Group of Brands