1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. 4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. 5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. 6The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble. 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools. 8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. 10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! 12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise. 13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. 14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 15All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. 17Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. 19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. 20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. 22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. 23A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word! 24The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. 25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow. 26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him. 27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. 28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. 29The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones. 31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
1 A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words. #2|. He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others. 3|. Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners. #4|. A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance. #5|. If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin. #6|. The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing. #7|. We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to disperse that is good. #8,9|. The wicked put other things in the stead of Christ's atonement, or in the place of holy obedience. Praying graces are his gift, and the work of his Spirit, with which he is well pleased. #10|. He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them. 11|. There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of God, not even man's thoughts. #12|. A scorner cannot bear to reflect seriously within his own heart. #13|. A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others. 14|. A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself. #15|. Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit. Such are to be pitied, prayed for, and comforted. And others serve God with gladness of heart, and it prompts their obedience, yet they should rejoice with trembling. 16,17|. Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked. #18|. He that is slow to anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases it, if kindled. #19|. Those who have no heart to their work, pretend that they cannot do their work without hardship and danger. And thus many live always in doubt about their state, because always in neglect of some duty. #20|. Those who treat an aged mother or a father with contempt or neglect, show their own folly. #21|. Such as are truly wise, study that their thoughts, words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy. #22|. If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not likely to bring any thing to pass. #23|. Wisdom is needed to suit our discourse to the occasions. #24|. A good man sets his affections on things above; his way leads directly thither. 25|. Pride is the ruin of multitudes. But those who are in affliction God will support. #26|. The thoughts of wicked men offend Him who knows the heart. #27|. The covetous man lets none of his family have rest or enjoyment. And greediness of gain often tempts to projects that bring ruin. #28|. A good man is proved to be a wise man by this; he governs his tongue well. 29|. God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance. #30|. How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the good report of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ! #31|. Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual life, and lead to eternal life. #32|. Sinners undervalue their own souls; therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body. #33|. The fear of the Lord will dispose us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. While we humbly place all our dependence on the grace of God, we are exalted in the righteousness of Christ.