1Better a bit of dry bread in peace, than a house full of feasting and violent behaviour. 2A servant who does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers. 3The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts. 4A wrongdoer gives attention to evil lips, and a man of deceit gives ear to a damaging tongue. 5Whoever makes sport of the poor puts shame on his Maker; and he who is glad because of trouble will not go free from punishment. 6Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers. 7Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler. 8An offering of money is like a stone of great price in the eyes of him who has it: wherever he goes, he does well. 9He who keeps a sin covered is looking for love; but he who keeps on talking of a thing makes division between friends. 10A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense than a hundred blows into a foolish man. 11An uncontrolled man is only looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him. 12It is better to come face to face with a bear whose young ones have been taken away than with a foolish man acting foolishly. 13If anyone gives back evil for good, evil will never go away from his house. 14The start of fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to blows. 15He who gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord. 16How will money in the hand of the foolish get him wisdom, seeing that he has no sense? 17A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble. 18A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour. 19The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction. 20Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble. 21He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy. 22A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry. 23A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause. 24Wisdom is before the face of him who has sense; but the eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitter pain to her who gave him birth. 26To give punishment to the upright is not good, or to give blows to the noble for their righteousness. 27He who has knowledge says little: and he who has a calm spirit is a man of good sense. 28Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
1 These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. #2|. The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. #3|. God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer. 4|. Flatterers, especially false teachers, are welcome to those that live in sin. #5|. Those that laugh at poverty, treat God's providence and precepts with contempt. #6|. It is an honour to children to have wise and godly parents continued to them, even after they are grown up and settled in the world. #7|. A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it. 8|. Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts! #9|. The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves. #10|. A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man. #11|. Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man. #12|. Let us watch over our own passions, and avoid the company of furious men. #13|. To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family. #14|. What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin. #15|. It is an offence to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty. #16|. Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd. #17|. No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfilment. #18|. Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond. 19|. If we would keep a clear conscience and a quiet mind, we must shun all excitements to anger. And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin. #20|. There is nothing got by ill designs. And many have paid dear for an unbridled tongue. #21|. This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child. #22|. It is great mercy that God gives us leave to be cheerful, and cause to be cheerful, if by his grace he gives us hearts to be cheerful. #23|. The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes. #24|. The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness. #25|. Wicked children despise the authority of their father, and the tenderness of their mother. #26|. It is very wrong to find fault for doing what is duty. #27,28|. A man may show himself to be a wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.