Proverbs 14:1-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:7

Go from the presence of a foolish man. There is some doubt about the rendering of this passage. The Vulgate gives, vade contra stultum, which is probably to be taken in the sense of the Authorized Version. The Revised Version has, "Go into the presence of a foolish man." The Hebrew מִנֶּגֶד ( minneged ) may mean "from before," "over against," "in the presence of." Hence arises an ambiguity. The Authorized Version considers the sentence to be an injunction to turn away from a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:8

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. The wisdom of the prudent is shown by his considering whither his actions lead, the motives from which they spring, the results that attend them. As the apostle enjoins ( Ephesians 5:15 ), "See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." Or the clause may be taken as enjoining a wise choice in life, a selection of such a calling or occupation as best suits one's capabilities, station, and opportunities. The folly of fools is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:8

Understanding our way A man may be "prudent," he may be clever, learned, astute; yet he may miss his way, he may lose his life, he may prove to be a failure. The wisdom of the prudent, that which makes prudence or ability really valuable, that which constitutes its virtue, is the practical understanding of life, the knowledge which enables a man to take the right path and keep it, the discretion which chooses the line of a true success and maintains it to the end. It is to perceive and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:8-19

The understanding of one's way I. THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE . ( Proverbs 14:8 .) To note, to observe, to take heed to one's way, is the characteristic of the man who is prudent for time and wise for eternity. And, on the contrary, the very principle of folly is self-deception—to be followed in turn by a terrible awakening to sobriety and recognition of the truth (comp. Psalms 7:15 ; Job 4:8 ). The right way is illustrated both positively and negatively. II. SOME PARTICULAR ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:9

Fools make a mock at sin. So the Vulgate (comp. Proverbs 10:23 ). Fools, wicked men, commit sin lightly and cheerfully, give specious names to grievous transgressions, pass over rebuke with a joke, encourage others in crime by their easy way of viewing it. But in the original the verb is in the singular number, while the noun is plural, and the clause could be translated as in the Authorized Version only with the notion that the number of the verb is altered in order to individualize the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:9

The sadness of sin It is foolish enough to use the words "sin" and "sinner" in the light and flippant way in which they are frequently employed. But to "make a mock at sin" itself, to treat otherwise than seriously the fact and forces of sin, is folly indeed. For sin is— I. THE SADDEST AND STERNEST FACT IN ALL THE UNIVERSE OF GOD . It is the ultimate cause of all the disorder, misery, ruin, and death that are to be found beneath any sky. There is no curse or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:10

The heart knoweth its own bitterness; literally, the heart ( leb ) knoweth the bitterness of his soul ( nephesh ) . Neither our joys nor our sorrows can be wholly shared with another; no person stands in such intimate relation to us, or can put himself so entirely in our place, as to feel that which we feel. There is many a dark spot, many a grief, of which our best friend knows nothing; the skeleton is locked in the cupboard, and no one has the key but ourselves. But we can turn... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:10

Incommunicable experience I. THE DEEPEST EXPERIENCE IS SOLITARY . This applies both to sorrows and to joys. There are profound sorrows which must lie buried in the hearts of the sufferers, and lofty joys which cannot be breathed to another soul. Sorrow has her shrine, which no intruder can enter without desecrating it; and joy her sweet silence, to break which is to shatter the delight. 1 . Each soul lives a separate, life. We are like planets, moving in our own spheres.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:10-13

Loneliness and laughter The tenth verse suggests to us the serious and solemnizing fact of— I. THE ELEMENT OF LONELINESS IN HUMAN LIFE . "The heart knoweth its own bitterness," etc. In one aspect our life path is thronged. It is becoming more and more difficult to be alone. Hours that were once sacred to solitude are now invaded by society. And yet it remains true that "in the central depths of our nature we are alone." There is a point at which, as he goes inward, our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:11

The house … the tabernacle. The house of the wicked, which they build and beautify and love, and which they look upon as a lasting home, shall perish; the hope which they founded upon it shall come to a speedy end ( Proverbs 12:7 ); but the righteous rear only a tent on earth, as becomes those who are strangers and pilgrims; and yet this abode is more secure, the hopes founded upon it are more lasting, for it continues unto everlasting life. The text in its first sense probably means that... read more

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