7 Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.
The God of Israel said, the word of the Rock of Israel came to me: When an upright king is ruling over men, when he is ruling in the fear of God,
Truly, God does not do evil, and the Ruler of all is not a false judge.
I will not put any evil thing before my eyes; I am against all turning to one side; I will not have it near me. The false heart I will send away from me: I will not have an evil-doer for a friend. I will put to death anyone who says evil of his neighbour secretly; the man with a high look and a heart of pride is disgusting to me.
True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging. True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work. Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness. Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
The legs of one who has no power of walking are hanging loose; so is a wise saying in the mouth of the foolish.
If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 17
Commentary on Proverbs 17 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 17
Pro 17:1
These words recommend family-love and peace, as conducing very much to the comfort of human life.
Pro 17:2
Note,
Pro 17:3
Note,
Pro 17:4
Note,
Pro 17:5
See here,
Pro 17:6
They are so, that is, they should be so, and, if they conduct themselves worthily, they are so.
Pro 17:7
Two things are here represented as very absurd:
Pro 17:8
The design of this observation is to show,
Pro 17:9
Note,
Pro 17:10
Note,
Pro 17:11
Here is the sin and punishment of an evil man.
Pro 17:12
Note,
Pro 17:13
A malicious mischievous man is here represented,
Pro 17:14
Here is,
Pro 17:15
This shows what an offence it is to God,
Pro 17:16
Two things are here spoken of with astonishment:-
Pro 17:17
This intimates the strength of those bonds by which we are bound to each other and which we ought to be sensible of.
Pro 17:18
Though Solomon had commended friendship in adversity (v. 17), yet let not any, under pretence of being generous to their friends, be unjust to their families and wrong them; one part of our duty must be made to consist with another. Note,
Pro 17:19
Note,
Pro 17:20
Note,
Pro 17:21
This expresses that very emphatically which many wise and good men feel very sensibly, what a grievous vexatious thing it is to have a foolish wicked child. See here,
Pro 17:22
Note,
Pro 17:23
See here,
Pro 17:24
Note,
Pro 17:25
Observe,
Pro 17:26
In differences that happen between magistrates and subjects, and such differences often arise,
Pro 17:27-28
Two ways a man may show himself to be a wise man:-