41 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
(Read Proverbs 10:17)
The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still.
131 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
4 A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A person's riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[1]
16 All who are prudent act with[2] knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
(Read Proverbs 13:1)
There is great hope of those that reverence their parents. There is little hope of any who will not hear those that deal faithfully with them.
(Read Proverbs 13:2)
By our words we must be justified or condemned, Matthew 12:37.
(Read Proverbs 13:3)
He that thinks before he speaks, that suppresses evil if he have thought it, keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief. Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue.
(Read Proverbs 13:4)
The slothful desire the gains the diligent get, but hate the pains the diligent take; therefore they have nothing. This is especially true as to the soul.
(Read Proverbs 13:5)
Where sin reigns, the man is loathsome. If his conscience were awake, he would abhor himself, and repent in dust and ashes.
(Read Proverbs 13:6)
An honest desire to do right, preserves a man from fatal mistakes, better than a thousand fine-drawn distinctions.
(Read Proverbs 13:7)
Some who are really poor, trade and spend as if they were rich: this is sin, and will be shame, and it will end accordingly. Some that are really rich, would be thought to be poor: in this there is want of gratitude to God, want of justice and charity to others. There are many hypocrites, empty of grace, who will not be convinced of their poverty. There are many fearing Christians, who are spiritually rich, yet think themselves poor; by their doubts, and complaints, and griefs, they make themselves poor.
(Read Proverbs 13:8)
Great riches often tempt to violence against those that possess them; but the poor are free from such perils.
(Read Proverbs 13:9)
The light of the righteous is as that of the sun, which may be eclipsed and clouded, but will continue: the Spirit is their Light, he gives a fulness of joy: that of the wicked is as a lamp of their own kindling, easily put out.
(Read Proverbs 13:10)
All contentions, whether between private persons, families, churches, or nations, are begun and carried forward by pride. Disputes would be easily prevented or ended, if it were not for pride.
(Read Proverbs 13:11)
Wealth gotten by dishonesty or vice, has a secret curse, which will speedily waste it.
(Read Proverbs 13:12)
The delay of what is anxiously hoped for, is very painful to the mind; obtaining it is very pleasant. But spiritual blessings are chiefly intended.
(Read Proverbs 13:13)
He that stands in awe of God, and reverences his word, shall escape destruction, and be rewarded for his godly fear.
(Read Proverbs 13:14)
The rule by which the wise regulate their conduct, is a fountain yielding life and happiness.
(Read Proverbs 13:15)
The way of sinners is hard upon others, and hard to the sinner himself. The service of sin is slavery; the road to hell is strewed with the thorns and thistles that followed the curse.
(Read Proverbs 13:16)
It is folly to talk of things of which we know nothing, and to undertake what we are no way fit for.
(Read Proverbs 13:17)
Those that are wicked, and false to Christ and to the souls of men, do mischief, and fall into mischief; but those that are faithful, find sound words healing to others and to themselves.
(Read Proverbs 13:18)
He that scorns to be taught, will certainly be brought down.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 4:1
Commentary on Proverbs 4:1-13
(Read Proverbs 4:1-13)
We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.