Proverbs 18:1-12
181 For 'an object of' desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But—in uncovering his heart.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame—reproach.
4 Deep waters 'are' the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom 'is' a flowing brook.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked 'is' not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth. 7 The mouth of a fool 'is' ruin to him, And his lips 'are' the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a tale-bearer 'are' as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down 'to' the inner parts of the heart.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he 'is' to a destroyer.
10 A tower of strength 'is' the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
11 The wealth of the rich 'is' the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour 'is' humility.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 18:1-12
Commentary on Proverbs 18:1
(Read Proverbs 18:1)
If we would get knowledge and grace, we must try all methods of improving ourselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:2
(Read Proverbs 18:2)
Those make nothing to purpose, of learning or religion, whose only design is to have something to make a show with.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:3
(Read Proverbs 18:3)
As soon as sin entered, shame followed.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:4
(Read Proverbs 18:4)
The well-spring of wisdom in the heart of a believer, continually supplies words of wisdom.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
(Read Proverbs 18:5)
The merits of a cause must be looked to, not the person.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:6-7
(Read Proverbs 18:6-7)
What mischief bad men do to themselves by their ungoverned tongues!
Commentary on Proverbs 18:8
(Read Proverbs 18:8)
How base are those that sow contention! and what fatal effects may be expected from small beginnings of jealousy!
Commentary on Proverbs 18:9
(Read Proverbs 18:9)
Omissions of duty, and in duty, are fatal to the soul, as well as commissions of sin.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:10-11
(Read Proverbs 18:10-11)
The Divine power, made known in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, forms a strong tower for the believer, who relies on the Lord. How deceitful the defence of the rich man, who has his portion and treasure in this world! It is a strong city and a high wall only in his own conceit; for it will fail when most in need. They will be exposed to the just wrath of that Judge whom they despised as a Saviour.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:12
(Read Proverbs 18:12)
After the heart has been lifted up with pride, a fall comes. But honour shall be the reward of humility.