Proverbs 22:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:2

Social distinctions I. THE SAD CONDITION OF SOCIAL DISTINCTIONS . 1 . These distinctions are very marked. There is an enormous separation between the condition of the rich and that of the poor. The one class is overwhelmed with luxury, the other pinched with penury. There seems to be a tendency to an aggravation of this separation. As wealth grows, poverty does not perceptibly recede. Three millions are on the borders of starvation among the riches of England. 2 . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:2

Rich and poor. The great problem of excessive wealth and pitiable poverty confronts us still, and seems likely to task our united wisdom for many years, if not for several generations. We may regard— I. THE BROAD AND NAKED FACT VISIBLE TO EVERY EYE . The fact that, while this world is stored with wealth beneath the ground, and is capable of bringing forth upon its surface ample supplies for all the need of the race, there is found amongst us vast mass of miserable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:3

A prudent man foresesth the evil, and hideth himself. The whole verse is repeated in Proverbs 27:12 . St. Jerome has callidus, and the LXX . has πανοῦργος , as the translation of עָרוּם ( arum ); but it must be taken in a good sense, as cautions, farseeing, prudent (see note on Proverbs 1:4 ) Such a man looks around, takes warning from little circumstances which might escape the observation of careless persons, and provides for his safety in good time. Thus the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:3

Thoughtfulness and thoughtlessness All men might be divided into the thoughtful and the thoughtless. They belong either to those who look before them and prepare for the struggle or the danger that is coming, and avoid it; or else to those who go blindly on and stumble over the first impediment in their way. The "prudent man" of the text is not only the cautious man; he is the man of sagacity and foresight, who takes large and extended views of things. There are many illustrations of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:4

By humility and the fear of the Lord, etc. This does not seem to be the best rendering of the original. The word rendered "by" ( עֵקֶב ekeb ), "in reward of," is also taken as the subject of the sentence: "The reward of humility ['and,' or, 'which is'] the fear of God, is riches," etc. There is no copulative in the clause, and a similar asyndeton occurs in Proverbs 22:5 ; so there is no reason why we should not regard the clause in this way. Thus Revised Version, Nowack, and others.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:4

Two graces, and their reward I. TWO GRACES . 1 . The social grace. "Humility." This is becoming in all men, but it is especially seemly where its attainment is most difficult; e.g. among the high in station, the wealthy, the famous, the gifted, the popular. It is as difficult for the demagogue to be humble as for the lord—perhaps more difficult, for the former is more conscious of his own powers, and more recently lifted above his fellows. Humility is difficult to acquire,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:5

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward. The words are in the Hebrew without the conjunction (see note, Proverbs 22:4 ), though the versions generally add it. Thus the Septuagint, τρίβολοι καὶ παγίδες ; Vulgate, arma et gladiii but the Venetian, ἄκανθαι παγίδες . It is a question whether the thorns are what the perverse prepare for others, or what they themselves suffer. In Proverbs 15:19 the hedge of thorns represented the difficulties in the sluggard's path; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:5

The path of the perverse By "the froward" we understand the spiritually perverse—those that will go on their own way, deaf to the commandments and the entreaties of their heavenly Father. I. THE PATH OF THE PERVERSE , This is: 1 . One of guilt. These froward souls who choose their own way, declining that to which God calls them, are most seriously guilty. Whether their disobedience be due to careless inattention or whether to deliberate recusancy, it is disloyal,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 22:1

Proverbs 22:1. A good name A good reputation among wise and good men; is rather to be chosen than great riches That is, we should be more careful to pursue that course of life, and do those things, by which we may obtain and retain a good name, than that way and those things by which we may raise and increase a great estate. For great riches bring great cares with them, and expose men to danger, but add no real value to a man. A fool and a knave may have great riches, but a good name,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 22:2

Proverbs 22:2. The rich and the poor meet together “The world doth not consist all of rich, nor all of poor; but they are mixed together, and have need one of another; and will agree well, and not clash one against another, if they both consider that there is one Lord, who is the Creator of both; and hath, by his providence, ordered their inequality for their mutual good.” read more

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