Proverbs 25:9-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:8-10

I. Here is good counsel given about going to law:?1. ?Be not hasty in bringing an action, before thou hast thyself considered it, and consulted with thy friends about it: Go not forth hastily to strive; do not send for a writ in a passion, or upon the first appearance of right on thy side, but weigh the matter deliberately, because we are apt to be partial in our own cause; consider the certainty of the expenses and the uncertainty of the success, how much care and vexation it will be the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:9

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself ,.... Between thee and him alone; lay the matter before him, and hear what he has to say for himself, by which you will better judge of the nature of the cause; try to compromise things, and make up the difference between you, which is much better than to commence a lawsuit; at least such a step should be taken first; see Matthew 5:25 ; and discover not a secret to another ; if the thing in controversy is a secret, do not acquaint another... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:10

Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame ,.... Or, "reproach thee" F3 יחסדך "probris afficiat te", Pagniuus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "probro afficiet te", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Michaelis. with treachery and deceit. Either the person of whom it is told, or the person to whom it is told; who may make thee ashamed, either by fixing the odious character of a defamer, a whisperer, and backbiter, on thee; or by making a retaliation, and in his turn make known some... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:9

Debate thy cause with thy neighbor - Take the advice of friends. Let both sides attend to their counsels; but do not tell the secret of thy business to any. After squandering your money away upon lawyers, both they and the judge will at last leave it to be settled by twelve of your fellow citizens! O the folly of going to law! O the blindness of men, and the rapacity of unprincipled lawyers! On this subject I cannot but give the following extract from Sir John Hawkins's Life of Dr.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:8-9

The wise way of settlement We look at— I. THE INEVITABLENESS OF DISPUTES . It is quite impossible that, with our present complication of interests—individual, domestic, social, civic, national—differences and difficulties should not arise amongst us. There must be a conflict of opinion, a clash of wishes and purposes, the divergence which may issue in dissension. What reason would teach us to anticipate experience shows us to exist. II. THE TEMPTATION OF THE HASTY ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:8-10

Some social pests I. THE CONTENTIOUS PERSON . ( Proverbs 25:8 .) He is irritable, easily takes offence, is readily provoked, barbs even the playful darts of jest with poison. When the consequences of this ill temper have broken out in full force, its mischief is seen and exposed too late. Beware, then, of "entrance to a quarrel." The contentious man may make real in the end the enmity of which he only dreams. II. MANFUL CONDUCT IN DISPUTES . ( Proverbs 25:9 .) If an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:9

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself ( Matthew 18:15 ; see on Matthew 18:8 ). If you have any quarrel with a neighbour, or are drawn into a controversy with him, deal with him privately in a friendly manner. And discover not a secret to another; rather, the secret of another . Do not bring in a third party, or make use of anything entrusted to you by another person, or of which you have become privately informed, in order to support your cause. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:9-10

A tetrastich without parallelism, connected with the preceding maxim. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:10

Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame; i . e . lest any one, not the offended neighbour only, who hears how treacherous you have been, makes your proceeding known and cries shame upon you. And thine infamy turn not away. The stigma attached to you be never obliterated. Thus Siracides: "Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind. Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou bewrayest his secrets, follow no more after him. For as... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 25:8-10

Proverbs 25:8-10. Go not forth hastily to strive To contend with thy neighbour judicially or otherwise; especially take some time to consider both whether thy cause be good, and whether it be important, as also how to manage it, before thou bring an action at law against him; reflect on the certainty of the expense and the uncertainty of the success, and how much care and vexation it will occasion; lest thou know not what to do, &c. Lest, in the conclusion, thou wish the matter had... read more

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