16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 16:16-19

Commentary on Proverbs 16:16

(Read Proverbs 16:16)

There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom.

Commentary on Proverbs 16:17

(Read Proverbs 16:17)

A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ.

Commentary on Proverbs 16:18

(Read Proverbs 16:18)

When men defy God's judgments, and think themselves far from them, it is a sign they are at the door. Let us not fear the pride of others, but fear pride in ourselves.

Commentary on Proverbs 16:19-20

(Read Proverbs 16:19-20)

Humility, though it exposes to contempt in the world, is much better than high-spiritedness, which makes God an enemy. He that understands God's word shall find good.