1 Better is a drie morsell, and quietnesse therewith; then an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise seruant shall haue rule ouer a son that causeth shame: and shall haue part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining pot is for siluer, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giueth heed to false lips: and a liar giueth eare to a naughtie tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poore, reproacheth his maker: and he that is glad at calamities, shall not be vnpunished.
6 Childrens children are the crowne of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becommeth not a foole: much lesse doe lying lippes a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoeuer it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue; but he that repeateth a matter, separateth very friends.
10 A reproofe entreth more into a wise man, then an hundred stripes into a foole.
11 An euill man seeketh onely rebellion; therefore a cruell messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a beare robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather then a foole in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth euill for good, euill shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therfore leaue off contention, before it be medled with.
15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust: euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
16 Wherfore is there a price in the hand of a foole to get wisedome, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 A friend loueth at all times, and a brother is borne for aduersitie.
18 A man void of vnderstanding striketh hands, and becommeth suretie in the presence of his friend.
19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart, findeth no good, and he that hath a peruerse tongue, falleth into mischiefe.
21 He that begetteth a foole, doth it to his sorrow: and the father of a foole hath no ioy.
22 A merrie heart doth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome, to peruert the wayes of iudgement.
24 Wisedome is before him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish sonne is a griefe to his father, & bitternes to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the iust is not good, nor to strike princes for equitie.
27 He that hath knowledge, spareth his words: and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Euen a foole, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips, is esteemed a man of vnderstanding.
1 These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. #2|. The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. #3|. God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer. 4|. Flatterers, especially false teachers, are welcome to those that live in sin. #5|. Those that laugh at poverty, treat God's providence and precepts with contempt. #6|. It is an honour to children to have wise and godly parents continued to them, even after they are grown up and settled in the world. #7|. A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it. 8|. Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts! #9|. The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves. #10|. A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man. #11|. Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man. #12|. Let us watch over our own passions, and avoid the company of furious men. #13|. To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family. #14|. What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin. #15|. It is an offence to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty. #16|. Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd. #17|. No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfilment. #18|. Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond. 19|. If we would keep a clear conscience and a quiet mind, we must shun all excitements to anger. And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin. #20|. There is nothing got by ill designs. And many have paid dear for an unbridled tongue. #21|. This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child. #22|. It is great mercy that God gives us leave to be cheerful, and cause to be cheerful, if by his grace he gives us hearts to be cheerful. #23|. The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes. #24|. The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness. #25|. Wicked children despise the authority of their father, and the tenderness of their mother. #26|. It is very wrong to find fault for doing what is duty. #27,28|. A man may show himself to be a wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.