9 He who walks blamelessly walks surely,
but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10 One winking with the eye causes sorrow,
but a chattering fool will fall.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment,
but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city.
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to life.
The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction,
but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 10:9-17
Commentary on Proverbs 10:9
(Read Proverbs 10:9)
Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
(Read Proverbs 10:10)
Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:11
(Read Proverbs 10:11)
The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:12
(Read Proverbs 10:12)
Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
(Read Proverbs 10:13)
Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
(Read Proverbs 10:14)
Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:15
(Read Proverbs 10:15)
This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:16
(Read Proverbs 10:16)
Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:17
(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.