18 Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand: 19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a girl. 20 This is the way of an adulteress: she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, "I have done no wrong." 21 Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up: 22 a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when glutted with food; 23 an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maid when she succeeds her mistress.
24 Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise: 25 the ants are a people without strength, yet they provide their food in the summer; 26 the badgers are a people without power, yet they make their homes in the rocks; 27 the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; 28 the lizard can be grasped in the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces.
29 Three things are stately in their stride; four are stately in their gait: 30 the lion, which is mightiest among wild animals and does not turn back before any; 31 the strutting rooster, the he-goat, and a king striding before his people. 32 If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. 33 For as pressing milk produces curds, and pressing the nose produces blood, so pressing anger produces strife.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18-36
Commentary on Proverbs 30:18-20
(Read Proverbs 30:18-20)
Four things cannot be fully known. The kingdom of nature is full of marvels. The fourth is a mystery of iniquity; the cursed arts by which a vile seducer gains the affections of a female; and the arts which a vile woman uses to conceal her wickedness.
Commentary on Proverbs 30:21-28
(Read Proverbs 30:21-28)
Four things that are little, are yet to be admired. There are those who are poor in the world, and of small account, yet wise for their souls and another world.
Commentary on Proverbs 30:29-33
(Read Proverbs 30:29-33)
We may learn from animals to go well; also to keep our temper under all provocations. We must keep the evil thought in our minds from breaking out into evil speeches. We must not stir up the passions of others. Let nothing be said or done with violence, but every thing with softness and calmness. Alas, how often have we done foolishly in rising up against the Lord our King! Let us humble ourselves before him. And having found peace with Him, let us follow peace with all men.