17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness [hath] a sure reward.
19 He that is stedfast in righteousness [shall attain] unto life; And he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.
20 They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in [their] way are his delight.
21 [Though] hand [join] in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished; But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 [As] a ring of gold in a swine's snout, [So is] a fair woman that is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good; [But] the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] only to want.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor; But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 11:17-29
Commentary on Proverbs 11:17
(Read Proverbs 11:17)
A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
(Read Proverbs 11:18)
He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:19
(Read Proverbs 11:19)
True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:20
(Read Proverbs 11:20)
Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:21
(Read Proverbs 11:21)
Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:22
(Read Proverbs 11:22)
Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:23
(Read Proverbs 11:23)
The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:24
(Read Proverbs 11:24)
A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:25
(Read Proverbs 11:25)
Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:26
(Read Proverbs 11:26)
We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:27
(Read Proverbs 11:27)
Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:28
(Read Proverbs 11:28)
The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:29
(Read Proverbs 11:29)
He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it.