Proverbs 17:5-16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:5

See here, 1. What a great sin those are guilty of who trample upon the poor, who ridicule their wants and the meanness of their appearance, upbraid them with their poverty, and take advantage from their weakness to be abusive and injurious to them. They reproach their Maker, put a great contempt and affront upon him, who allotted the poor to the condition they are in, owns them, and takes care of them, and can, when he pleases, reduce us to that condition. Let those that thus reproach their... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:6

They are so, that is, they should be so, and, if they conduct themselves worthily, they are so. 1. It is an honour to parents when they are old to leave children, and children's children, growing up, that tread in the steps of their virtues, and are likely to maintain and advance the reputation of their families. It is an honour to a man to live so long as to see his children's children (Ps. 128:6; Gen. 50:23), to see his house built up in them, and to see them likely to serve their generation... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:7

Two things are here represented as very absurd: 1. That men of no repute should be dictators. What can be more unbecoming than for fools, who are known to have little sense and discretion, to pretend to that which is above them and which they were never cut out for? A fool, in Solomon's proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation gives the lie to his excellent speech. What have those to do to declare God's statutes who hate instruction? Ps.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:8

The design of this observation is to show, 1. That those who have money in their hand think they can do any thing with it. Rich men value a little money as if it were a precious stone, and value themselves on it as if it gave them not only ornament, but power, and every one were bound to be at their beck, even justice itself. Whithersoever they turn this sparkling diamond they expect it should dazzle the eyes of all, and make them do just what they would have them do in hopes of it. The... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:9

Note, 1. The way to preserve peace among relations and neighbours is to make the best of every thing, not to tell others what has been said or done against them when it is not at all necessary to their safety, nor to take notice of what has been said or done against them when it is not at all necessary to their safety, nor to take notice of what has been said or done against ourselves, but to excuse both, and put the best construction upon them. ?It was an oversight; therefore overlook it. It... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:10

Note, 1. A word is enough to the wise. A gentle reproof will enter not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man, so as to have a strong influence upon him; for, if but a hint be given to conscience, let it alone to carry it on and prosecute it. 2. Stripes are not enough for a fool, to make him sensible of his errors, that he may repent of them, and be more cautious for the future. He that is sottish and wilful is very rarely benefited by severity. David is softened with, Thou art... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:11

Here is the sin and punishment of an evil man. 1. His sin. He is an evil man indeed that seeks all occasions to rebel against God, and the government God has set over him, and to contradict and quarrel with those about him. Quaerit jurgia?He picks quarrels; so some. There are some that are actuated by a spirit of opposition, that will contradict for contradiction-sake, that will go on frowardly in their wicked ways in spite of all restraint and check. A rebellious man seeks mischief (so some... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:12

Note, 1. A passionate man is a brutish man. However at other times he may have some wisdom, take him in his passion ungoverned, and he is a fool in his folly; those are fools in whose bosom anger rests and in whose countenance anger rages. He has put off man, and is become like a bear, a raging bear, a bear robbed of her whelps; he is as fond of the gratifications of his lusts and passions as a bear of her whelps (which, though ugly, are her own), as eager in the pursuit of them as she is in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:13

A malicious mischievous man is here represented, 1. As ungrateful to his friends. He oftentimes is so absurd and insensible of kindnesses done him that he renders evil for good. David met with those that were his adversaries for his love, Ps. 109:4. To render evil for evil is brutish, but to render evil for good is devilish. He is an ill-natured man who, because he is resolved not to return a kindness, will revenge it. 2. As therein unkind to his family, for he entails a curse upon it. This is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:14

Here is, 1. The danger that there is in the beginning of strife. One hot word, one peevish reflection, one angry demand, one spiteful contradiction, begets another, and that a third, and so on, till it proves like the cutting of a dam; when the water has got a little passage it does itself widen the breach, bears down all before it, and there is then no stopping it, no reducing it. 2. A good caution inferred thence, to take heed of the first spark of contention and to put it out as soon as... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:14

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