16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is careless.
17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion is patient.
18 The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but happy is he who is kind to the poor.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? Those who devise good meet loyalty and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to want.
24 The crown of the wise is their wisdom, but folly is the garland of fools.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is a betrayer.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.
29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes the bones rot.
31 He who oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked is overthrown through his evil-doing, but the righteous finds refuge through his integrity.
33 Wisdom abides in the mind of a man of understanding, but it is not known in the heart of fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
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.