121 A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
2 A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
3 No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
4 A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
5 The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
6 The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
7 Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
8 A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
9 He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.
10 An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.
11 He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
12 The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
13 In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.
15 The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
16 A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
17 The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
18 There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
19 True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
21 No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
22 False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
23 A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
24 The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
25 Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
27 He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
28 In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 12:1-33
Commentary on Proverbs 12:1
(Read Proverbs 12:1)
Those who have grace, will delight in the instructions given them. Those that stifle their convictions, are like brutes.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:2
(Read Proverbs 12:2)
The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:3
(Read Proverbs 12:3)
Though men may advance themselves by sinful arts, they cannot settle and secure themselves. But those who by faith are rooted in Christ, are firmly fixed.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:4
(Read Proverbs 12:4)
A wife who is pious, prudent, and looks well to the ways of her household, who makes conscience of her duty, and can bear crosses; such a one is an honour and comfort to her husband. She that is the reverse of this, preys upon him, and consumes him.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
(Read Proverbs 12:5)
Thoughts are not free; they are under the Divine knowledge, therefore under the Divine command. It is a man's shame to act with deceit, with trick and design.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
(Read Proverbs 12:6)
Wicked people speak mischief to their neighbours. A man may sometimes do a good work with one good word.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:7
(Read Proverbs 12:7)
God's blessing is often continued to the families of godly men, while the wicked are overthrown.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:8
(Read Proverbs 12:8)
The apostles showed wisdom by glorying in shame for the name of Christ.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:9
(Read Proverbs 12:9)
He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:10
(Read Proverbs 12:10)
A godly man would not put even an animal to needless pain. But the wicked often speak of others as well used, when they would not endure like treatment for a single day.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
(Read Proverbs 12:11)
It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:12
(Read Proverbs 12:12)
When the ungodly see others prosper by sin, they wish they could act in the same way. But the root of Divine grace, in the heart of the righteous, produces other desires and purposes.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:13
(Read Proverbs 12:13)
Many a man has paid dear in this world for the transgression of his lips.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:14
(Read Proverbs 12:14)
When men use their tongues aright, to teach and comfort others, they enjoy acceptance through Christ Jesus; and the testimony of their conscience, that they in some measure answer the end of their being.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:15
(Read Proverbs 12:15)
A fool, in the sense of Scripture, means a wicked man, one who acts contrary to the wisdom that is from above. His rule is, to do what is right in his own eyes.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:16
(Read Proverbs 12:16)
A foolish man is soon angry, and is hasty in expressing it; he is ever in trouble and running into mischief. It is kindness to ourselves to make light of injuries and affronts, instead of making the worst of them.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:17
(Read Proverbs 12:17)
It is good for all to dread and detest the sin of lying, and to be governed by honesty.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:18
(Read Proverbs 12:18)
Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:19
(Read Proverbs 12:19)
If truth be spoken, it will hold good; whoever may be disobliged, still it will keep its ground.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:20
(Read Proverbs 12:20)
Deceit and falsehood bring terrors and perplexities. But those who consult the peace and happiness of others have joy in their own minds.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:21
(Read Proverbs 12:21)
If men are sincerely righteous, the righteous God has engaged that no evil shall happen to them. But they that delight in mischief shall have enough of it.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:22
(Read Proverbs 12:22)
Make conscience of truth, not only in words, but in actions.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:23
(Read Proverbs 12:23)
Foolish men proclaim to all the folly and emptiness of their minds.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:24
(Read Proverbs 12:24)
Those who will not take pains in an honest calling, living by tricks and dishonesty, are paltry and beggarly.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:25
(Read Proverbs 12:25)
Care, fear, and sorrow, upon the spirits, deprive men of vigour in what is to be done, or courage in what is to be borne. A good word from God, applied by faith, makes the heart glad.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:26
(Read Proverbs 12:26)
The righteous is abundant; though not in this world's goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. Evil men vainly flatter themselves that their ways are not wrong.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:27
(Read Proverbs 12:27)
The slothful man makes no good use of the advantages Providence puts in his way, and has no comfort in them. The substance of a diligent man, though not great, does good to him and his family. He sees that God gives it to him in answer to prayer.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:28
(Read Proverbs 12:28)
The way of religion is a straight, plain way; it is the way of righteousness. There is not only life at the end, but life in the way; all true comfort.