151 A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
2 Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
3 God doesn't miss a thing - he's alert to good and evil alike.
4 Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
5 Moral dropouts won't listen to their elders; welcoming correction is a mark of good sense.
6 The lives of God-loyal people flourish; a misspent life is soon bankrupt.
7 Perceptive words spread knowledge; fools are hollow - there's nothing to them.
8 God can't stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers.
9 A life frittered away disgusts God; he loves those who run straight for the finish line.
10 It's a school of hard knocks for those who leave God's path, a dead-end street for those who hate God's rules.
11 Even hell holds no secrets from God - do you think he can't read human hearts? Life Ascends to the Heights
12 Know-it-alls don't like being told what to do; they avoid the company of wise men and women.
13 A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
14 An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies.
15 A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song.
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.