Proverbs 29:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 29:12

Note, 1. It is a great sin in any, especially in rulers, to hearken to lies; for thereby they not only give a wrong judgment themselves of persons and things, according to the lies they give credit to, but they encourage others to give wrong informations. Lies will be told to those that will hearken to them; but the receiver, in this case, is as bad as the thief. 2. Those that do so will have all their servants wicked. All their servants will appear wicked, for they will have lies told of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:12

If a ruler hearken to lies ,.... To men that tell them in order to soothe and flatter him, or to hurt the character and reputation of others, that they may raise their own: rulers should not listen to and encourage such sort of persons; for, as lying lips do not become a prince, so it is not right to have liars about him; David would not suffer such to dwell in his court, Psalm 101:7 ; all his servants are wicked ; or the greatest part of them: for a ruler of such a disposition will... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 29:12

If a ruler hearken to lies - Wherever the system of espionage is permitted to prevail, there the system of falsity is established; for he who is capable of being a spy and informer, is not only capable of telling and swearing lies, but also of cutting his king's or even his father's throat. I have seen cases, where the same spy received pay from both parties, and deceived both. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:12

All his servants are wicked. The ruler is willing to be deceived, and does not care to hear the truth, so his servants flatter and lie to him, and the whole atmosphere is charged with unreality and deceit. Qualis rex, talis grex . Ecclesiastes 10:2 , "As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all that dwell therein." Claudian, ' IV . Cons. Hon.,' 299— " Componitur orbis Regis ad exemplum: nec sic... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:12-17

Government in truth and equity I. THERE MUST BE THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE . ( Proverbs 29:12 .) Especially in regard to truthfulness. Nothing is more easily caught than an example of untruthfulness, evasion, hypocrisy. Servants' manners reflect their masters' characters. The more conspicuous the station, the further the influence of the example extends. II. THERE MUST BE RESPECT TO THE RULER AND JUDGE OF ALL . ( Proverbs 29:13 .) He is no Respecter of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 29:11-12

Proverbs 29:11-12. A fool uttereth all his mind All at once, unnecessarily, unseasonably, without reservation or caution; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward Till he have a fit occasion to express it. If a ruler hearken to lies Delight in flatteries or calumnies, or any lying words, or deceitful and wicked practices; all his servants are wicked Because, perhaps, he chooseth only such for his service: or, rather, because they are either corrupted by his example, or engaged by... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:1-27

Authority with justice (29:1-27)Many themes that we have already met in Proverbs are repeated in this section: stubbornness, good and bad government, family values, prostitution, justice, flattery, cunning and concern for the poor (29:1-7). Scoffers are more than just fools; they are trouble-makers. They are not open to reason and cannot control their temper (8-11).Unjust rulers oppress innocent citizens, and the rich persecute the poor, but good and bad alike receive the blessings that God... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 29:12

"If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked.""If a ruler listens to lies, then all his servants will be evil."[16] "If a ruler listens to lies, then all his servants become depraved."[17] As these renditions stand, they seem to say that a king's listening to falsehoods would somehow make his servants evil. Toy commented that, "The courtiers adjust themselves to the prince."[18] We cannot find any support in any of the versions or commentators for our feeling that something... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 29:12

Proverbs 29:12. If a ruler hearken to lies— In conformity to this aphorism, Tacitus says of Claudius, "There is no safety with that prince into whose mind all things are conveyed, as it were, by infusion and direction from others." And Comines observes, that it is better to be servant to a prince whose suspicions have no end, than to one whose credulity hath no measure. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 29:12

12. His servants imitate him. read more

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