151 By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings.
2 Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
5 A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.
6 In the house of the upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the sinner there is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.
8 The offering of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright man is his delight.
9 The way of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but he who goes after righteousness is dear to him.
10 There is bitter punishment for him who is turned from the way; and death will be the fate of the hater of teaching.
11 Before the Lord are the underworld and destruction: how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men!
12 The hater of authority has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of the man of good sense goes in search of knowledge, but foolish things are the food of the unwise.
15 All the days of the troubled are evil; but he whose heart is glad has an unending feast.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 15:1-15
Commentary on Proverbs 15:1
(Read Proverbs 15:1)
A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:2
(Read Proverbs 15:2)
He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:3
(Read Proverbs 15:3)
Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
(Read Proverbs 15:4)
A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:5
(Read Proverbs 15:5)
If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:6
(Read Proverbs 15:6)
The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:7
(Read Proverbs 15:7)
We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to disperse that is good.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:8-9
(Read Proverbs 15:8-9)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:10
(Read Proverbs 15:10)
He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:11
(Read Proverbs 15:11)
There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of God, not even man's thoughts.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:12
(Read Proverbs 15:12)
A scorner cannot bear to reflect seriously within his own heart.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:13
(Read Proverbs 15:13)
A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:14
(Read Proverbs 15:14)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:15
(Read Proverbs 15:15)
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.