Proverbs 27:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:3-4

These two verses show the intolerable mischief, 1. Of ungoverned passion. The wrath of a fool, who when he is provoked cares not what he says and does, is more grievous than a great stone or a load of sand. It lies heavily upon himself. Those who have no command of their passions do themselves even sink under the load of them. The wrath of a fool lies heavily upon those he is enraged at, to whom, in his fury, he will be in danger of doing some mischief. It is therefore our wisdom not to give... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous ,.... Or "an inundation" F24 שטף "inundatio", Michaelis, so Montanus, Vatablus, Tigurine version, "exundatio", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "inundatio salcans", Schultens. ; it is like the breaking in of the sea, or a flood of mighty waters, which know no bounds, and there is no stopping them: so cruel and outrageous were the wrath and anger of Simeon and Levi, in destroying the Shechemites; of Pharaoh, in making the Israelites to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:4

Who is able to stand before envy? - The rabbins have a curious story on this subject, and it has been formed by the moderns into a fable. There were two persons, one covetous and the other envious, to whom a certain person promised to grant whatever they should ask; but double to him who should ask last. The covetous man would not ask first, because he wished to get the double portion, and the envious man would not make the first request because he could not bear the thoughts of thus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

These verses are grouped in pairs, each two being connected in subject. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

Beastliness, jealousy, and hypocrisy I. OVER CONFIDENCE REBUKED . ( Proverbs 27:1 .) 1 . On the ground of our limited knowledge. The homely proverb says, "Do not count your chickens before they are hatched." The future exists for us only in imagination. "Who knows," asks Horace, "whether the gods above will add tomorrow's time to the sum of today?" ('Od.,' Proverbs 4:7 . 17); and Seneca, "None hath gods so favourable as that he may promise himself tomorrow's good." 2 . On... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:2-21

The praise of man How far we should go in praising others, and in what spirit we should accept their praise, is a matter of no small importance in the conduct of life. I. THE DUTY OF PRAISING OTHERS . "Let another man praise thee" can hardly be said to be imperative so far as he is concerned. But it suggests the propriety of another man speaking in words of commendation. And the duty of praising those who have done well is a much-forgotten and neglected virtue. I. It is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous. Again substantives are used, as in Proverbs 27:3 , "Cruelty of wrath, and overflowing of anger." Figure to yourself the fierceness and cruelty of a sudden excitement of anger, or the bursting forth of passion which, like a flood, carries all before it; these may be violent for a time, yet they will subside when they have spent themselves. But who is able to stand before envy? or rather, jealousy . The reference is not so much to the general... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 27:4

Proverbs 27:4. Wrath is cruel And doth many barbarous things; and anger is outrageous Often depriving a man of the proper use of his reason, and hurrying him into many mischiefs and miseries; but who is able to stand before envy? Envy is worse than both of them, 1st, Because it is more unjust and unreasonable, as not being caused by any provocation, as wrath and anger are; but proceeding from mere malignity of mind, whereby a man is grieved for another man’s happiness, in which he ought... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-27

The valuable things of life (27:1-27)Over-confidence, self-praise, stupidity and jealousy must all be avoided (27:1-4). True friends will show the inner love they have for each other by being open and honest with each other. Over-pleasantness may be a sign of a deceitful heart (5-6). Those with many possessions do not find contentment; the poor are more than satisfied if they can get what the rich throw away (7). Among the most priceless of possessions are a happy home and faithful friends... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 27:4

envy = jealousy. read more

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