16 The wise watch their steps and avoid evil; fools are headstrong and reckless.
17 The hotheaded do things they'll later regret; the coldhearted get the cold shoulder.
18 Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion; wise realists plant their feet on the ground.
19 Eventually, evil will pay tribute to good; the wicked will respect God-loyal people.
20 An unlucky loser is shunned by all, but everyone loves a winner.
21 It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor - what a blessing!
22 Isn't it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust?
23 Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.
24 The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day.
25 Souls are saved by truthful witness and betrayed by the spread of lies.
26 The Fear-of-God builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children. 27 The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water so you won't go off drinking from poisoned wells.
28 The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following.
29 Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.
30 A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.
31 You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you're kind to the poor, you honor God.
32 The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold; the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living.
33 Lady Wisdom is at home in an understanding heart - fools never even get to say hello.
34 God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak.
35 Diligent work gets a warm commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 14:16-35
Commentary on Proverbs 14:16
(Read Proverbs 14:16)
Holy fear guards against every thing unholy.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:17
(Read Proverbs 14:17)
An angry man is to be pitied as well as blamed; but the revengeful is more hateful.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:18
(Read Proverbs 14:18)
Sin is the shame of sinners; but wisdom is the honour of the wise.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:19
(Read Proverbs 14:19)
Even bad men acknowledge the excellency of God's people.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:20
(Read Proverbs 14:20)
Friendship in the world is governed by self-interest. It is good to have God our Friend; he will not desert us.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:21
(Read Proverbs 14:21)
To despise a man for his employment or appearance is a sin.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:22
(Read Proverbs 14:22)
How wisely those consult their own interest, who not only do good, but devise it!
Commentary on Proverbs 14:23
(Read Proverbs 14:23)
Labour of the head, or of the hand, will turn to some good account. But if men's religion runs all out in talk and noise, they will come to nothing.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:24
(Read Proverbs 14:24)
The riches of men of wisdom and piety enlarge their usefulness.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:25
(Read Proverbs 14:25)
An upright man will venture the displeasure of the greatest, to bring truth to light.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:26-27
(Read Proverbs 14:26-27)
Those who fear the Lord so as to obey and serve him, have a strong ground of confidence, and will be preserved. Let us seek to this Fountain of life, that we may escape the snares of death.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:28
(Read Proverbs 14:28)
Let all that wish well to the kingdom of Christ, do what they can, that many may be added to his church.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
(Read Proverbs 14:29)
A mild, patient man is one that learns of Christ, who is Wisdom itself. Unbridled passion is folly made known.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:30
(Read Proverbs 14:30)
An upright, contented, and benevolent mind, tends to health.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:31
(Read Proverbs 14:31)
To oppress the poor is to reproach our Creator.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:32
(Read Proverbs 14:32)
The wicked man has his soul forced from him; he dies in his sins, under the guilt and power of them. But godly men, though they have pain and some dread of death, have the blessed hope, which God, who cannot lie, has given them.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:33
(Read Proverbs 14:33)
Wisdom possesses the heart, and thus regulates the affections and tempers.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:34
(Read Proverbs 14:34)
Piety and holiness always promote industry, sobriety, and honesty.
Commentary on Proverbs 14:35
(Read Proverbs 14:35)
The great King who reigns over heaven and earth, will reward faithful servants who honour his gospel by the proper discharge of the duties of their stations: he despises not the services of the lowest.