Proverbs 21:5-6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

Here is, 1. The way to be rich. If we would live plentifully and comfortably in the world, we must be diligent in our business, and not shrink from the toil and trouble of it, but prosecute it closely, improving all advantages and opportunities for it, and doing what we do with all our might; yet we must not be hasty in it, nor hurry ourselves and others with it, but keep doing fair and softly, which, we say, goes far in a day. With diligence there must be contrivance. The thoughts of the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:6

This shows the folly of those that hope to enrich themselves by dishonest practices, by oppressing and over-reaching those with whom they deal, by false-witness-bearing, or by fraudulent contracts, of those that make no scruples of lying when there is any thing to be got by it. They may perhaps heap up treasures by these means, that which they make their treasure; but, 1. They will not meet with the satisfaction they expect. It is a vanity tossed to and fro; it will be disappointment and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness ,.... A man that is thoughtful and studious, and wisely forms schemes in his mind, and diligently pursues them; the issue of it is, generally speaking, prosperity and plenty: such a man is usually thriving and flourishing; and this holds good in things spiritual, as well as in things temporal, Matthew 25:29 ; but of everyone that is hasty only to want ; that is in haste to be rich, and is resolved to be so, right or wrong, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:6

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue ,.... By telling lies in trade; by bearing false witness in a court of judicature; or by preaching false doctrines in the church of God: is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death : such treasures, though ever so great, are like any light thing, smoke or vapour, straw, stubble, chaff, or a feather, tossed about the wind; which is expressive of the instability uncertainty of riches ill gotten; they do not last long, but are taken... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 21:6

Of them that seek death - Instead of מבקשי mebakshey , "them that seek," several MSS., some ancient editions, with Symmachus, the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Arabic, have מקשי mokeshey , the snares. He who gets treasures by a lying tongue, pursues vanity into the snares of death. Our common translation may be as good. But he who, by the snares of his tongue, endeavors to buy and sell to the best advantage, is pursuing what is empty in itself; and he is ensnared by death, while he is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:4-9

A family of vices There is a kinship between all vices as between all virtues. All sins spring from a disturbance of our true relations to God, as all virtues rest upon the deep consciousness of that relation. I. THE SIN OF PRIDE . ( Proverbs 21:4 .) Its aspect— the lofty eyes, the haughty glance—and its principle in the heart are struck by the Divine rebuke. The meaning of the second clause is not quite clear; probably it is, "The light of the wicked is only sin," i.e. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness. Patient industry is rewarded by a certain increase (comp. Proverbs 12:11 ; Proverbs 13:11 ; Proverbs 14:23 ). Says an English maxim, "Diligence is a fair for tune, and industry a good estate," The Greek gnomists have said tersely— απαντα τὰ καλὰ τοῦ πονοῦντος γίγνεται τῷ γὰρ πονοῦντι καὶ θεὸς συλλαμβάνει "To him who labours all good things accrue The man who labours God himself assists." But of every... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

Patient industry The contrast between diligence and haste suggests the idea that there must be an element of patience and perseverance in the former if it is to be crowned with success. This may be very different from the Herculean efforts of genius, which astonish the world with spasms of effort and then sink into indifference. It is a quiet, constant, persistent activity. We are to see how much this is superior to the more flashy performances which are not seconded by diligence. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

(See homily on Proverbs 27:23 .)—C. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:6

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue —the acquisition of wealth by fraud and falsehood— is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death . The latter clause is variously rendered and interpreted. The Hebrew is literally, a fleeting breath, those seeking death. The Revised Version makes the last words a separate proposition, "They that seek them seek death." But this seems unnecessary, and somewhat opposed to the gnomic style, which often combines two predicates in one... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 21:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:4-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:6

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