Proverbs 17:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:18

Though Solomon had commended friendship in adversity (Prov. 17:17), yet let not any, under pretence of being generous to their friends, be unjust to their families and wrong them; one part of our duty must be made to consist with another. Note, 1. It is a piece of wisdom to keep out of debt as much as may be, especially to dread suretiship. There may be a just occasion for a man to pass his word for his friend in his absence, till he come to engage himself; but to be surety in the presence of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:18

A man void of understanding striketh hands ,.... With his friend's creditor, and becomes surety for him; and thereby acts a very unwise part, and shows himself to want understanding, by taking such a step, which may prove the ruin of himself and family: for though a man may and should love his friend at all times; yet he is not obliged, under a notion of friendship, to injure himself and his family, or to run the risk of it; if he does, it is a plain case he wants wisdom and discretion, see ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 17:18

Striketh hands - Striking each other's hands, or shaking hands, was anciently the form in concluding a contract. See notes on Proverbs 6:1 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:6-25

Fatherhood and sonship Certainly, some of our very greatest mercies are those that come to us in our domestic relationships. I. THE JOY AND CROWN OF FATHERHOOD AND OF GRANDFATHERHOOD . Our Lord speaks of the mother forgetting her anguish "for joy that a man is born into the world" ( John 16:21 ). The joy of parentage is keen , and it is common; it may, indeed, be said to be universal. And it is pure and good; it elevates and enlarges the soul, taking thought... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:16-20

Light in the head, love in the heart I. MONEY USELESS WITHOUT SENSE . ( Proverbs 17:16 .) The true view of money is that of means to ends. But if the ends are not seen, or, being seen, are not earnestly desired, of what avail the means? If our heart be set upon the right objects of life, opportunities will always present themselves. If blind to life's meaning, no advantages wilt seem to be advantages. II. THE BEAUTY OF FRIENDSHIP . ( Proverbs 17:17 .) 1 . In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:16-24

Use and neglect "There is everything in use," we say. And certainly a man's position at any time depends far less upon his bestowments and advantages than upon the use he has made of them. The wise man, in these verses, laments the fact that the price of wisdom should so often be in the hand of a man who fails to turn it to account ( Proverbs 17:16 ), and that the foolish man wastes his capacities by directing them to things at a distance instead of giving his attention to that which is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:18

A man void of understanding (Hebrew, heart ) striketh hands; clinches the bargain which makes him responsible (see on suretyship, Proverbs 6:1 , etc.; and note, Proverbs 20:16 ). Becometh surety in the presence of his friend; to his friend for some third party. What is here censured is the weakness which, for the sake of perhaps worthless companions, lets itself be hampered and endangered by others' obligations. For, as our adage runs, he that is surety for another is never sure... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 17:18

Proverbs 17:18. A man, &c., striketh hands In token of his becoming surety; of which phrase, and the thing intended by it, see notes on Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15. This proverb is fitly placed after that in Proverbs 17:17, to intimate that although the laws of friendship oblige us to love and help our friends in trouble as far as we are able, yet they do not oblige us to become surety for them rashly, and above what we are able to pay, for by that means we should make ourselves unable... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:1-28

Friends and fools (17:1-28)A peaceful family life, no matter how simple, is a great blessing, but a son may miss out on his family inheritance through his own folly (17:1-2). God’s dealings with his people are always for a good purpose, to make them better than they were before (3). To listen to evil talk is as bad as to speak evil oneself; to take pleasure in another’s troubles is as bad as to cause those troubles (4-5).Other proverbs concern the appreciation that the old and the young should... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 17:18

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . understanding. Hebrew "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the understanding in it. See note on Proverbs 1:2 . read more

Group of Brands