Proverbs 13:12 - Exposition

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. Delay in the accomplishment of some much-desired good occasions sinking of the spirits, languor, and despondence. Many refer this sentence to the impatient longing for heaven which holy men feel, such as we may read in 'De Imitatione,' 3.48, 49, and in the hymns, "For thee, O dear, dear country;" and "We've no abiding city," etc. And St. Paul can exclaim ( Romans 7:24 ), "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (comp. Romans 8:23 ; Philippians 1:23 ). Septuagint, "Better is he who taketh in hand to aid with all his heart, than he who promises and raises hopes" (comp. James 2:15 , James 2:16 ). When the desire cometh —when the object of the longing is obtained— it is a tree of life ( Proverbs 11:30 ); there are then no longer languor and despondence, but strength and refreshment and vigorous action. Septuagint, "A good desire is a tree of life."