11 The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, 12 And a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.
13 Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat - refreshing!
14 Like billowing clouds that bring no rain is the person who talks big but never produces.
15 Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses. A Person Without Self-Control
16 When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down; eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;
17 And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome; show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.
18 Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon.
19 Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.
20 Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.
21 If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink. 22 Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.
23 A north wind brings stormy weather, and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.
24 Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.
25 Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.
26 A good person who gives in to a bad person is a muddied spring, a polluted well.
27 It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.
28 A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 25:11-28
Commentary on Proverbs 25:11-12
(Read Proverbs 25:11-12)
A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:13
(Read Proverbs 25:13)
See what ought to be the aim of him that is trusted with any business; to be faithful. A faithful minister, Christ's messenger, should be thus acceptable to us.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:14
(Read Proverbs 25:14)
He who pretends to have received or given that which he never had, is like the morning cloud, that disappoints those who look for rain.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:15
(Read Proverbs 25:15)
Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:16
(Read Proverbs 25:16)
God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
(Read Proverbs 25:17)
We cannot be upon good terms with our neighbours, without discretion as well as sincerity. How much better a Friend is God than any other friend! The oftener we come to him, the more welcome.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:18
(Read Proverbs 25:18)
A false testimony is dangerous in every thing.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:19
(Read Proverbs 25:19)
Confidence in an unfaithful man is painful and vexatious; when we put any stress on him, he not only fails, but makes us feel for it.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:20
(Read Proverbs 25:20)
We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavouring to make them merry.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:21-22
(Read Proverbs 25:21-22)
The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:23
(Read Proverbs 25:23)
Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:24
(Read Proverbs 25:24)
It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:25
(Read Proverbs 25:25)
Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is good news from thence, in the everlasting gospel, which signifies glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God's children!
Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
(Read Proverbs 25:26)
When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:27
(Read Proverbs 25:27)
We must be, through grace, dead to the pleasures of sense, and also to the praises of men.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:28
(Read Proverbs 25:28)
The man who has no command over his anger, is easily robbed of peace. Let us give up ourselves to the Lord, and pray him to put his Spirit within us, and cause us to walk in his statutes.