5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.
5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
5 Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.
5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:5
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:4-8
(Read Ecclesiastes 5:4-8)
When a person made engagements rashly, he suffered his mouth to cause his flesh to sin. The case supposes a man coming to the priest, and pretending that his vow was made rashly, and that it would be wrong to fulfil it. Such mockery of God would bring the Divine displeasure, which might blast what was thus unduly kept. We are to keep down the fear of man. Set God before thee; then, if thou seest the oppression of the poor, thou wilt not find fault with Divine Providence; nor think the worse of the institution of magistracy, when thou seest the ends of it thus perverted; nor of religion, when thou seest it will not secure men from suffering wrong. But though oppressors may be secure, God will reckon for all.