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.

16 A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. 17 Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib served in hate.

18 Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.

19 The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers; the diligent walk down a smooth road.

20 Intelligent children make their parents proud; lazy students embarrass their parents.

21 The empty-headed treat life as a plaything; the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it.

22 Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 15:13-22

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.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:16-17

(Read Proverbs 15:16-17)

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.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:18

(Read Proverbs 15:18)

He that is slow to anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases it, if kindled.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:19

(Read Proverbs 15:19)

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.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:20

(Read Proverbs 15:20)

Those who treat an aged mother or a father with contempt or neglect, show their own folly.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:21

(Read Proverbs 15:21)

Such as are truly wise, study that their thoughts, words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:22

(Read Proverbs 15:22)

If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not likely to bring any thing to pass.