6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
The only effect of pride is fighting; but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.
The wise man, fearing, keeps himself from evil; but the foolish man goes on in his pride, with no thought of danger.
A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire. A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
A man of great wrath will have to take his punishment: for if you get him out of trouble you will have to do it again.
Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish.
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man: For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 18
Commentary on Proverbs 18 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 18
Pro 18:1
The original here is difficult, and differently understood.
Pro 18:2
A fool may pretend to understanding, and to seek and intermeddle with the means of it, but,
Pro 18:3
This may include a double sense:-
Pro 18:4
The similitudes here seem to be elegantly transposed.
Pro 18:5
This justly condemns those who, being employed in the administration of justice, pervert judgment,
Pro 18:6-7
Solomon has often shown what mischief bad men do to others with their ungoverned tongues; here he shows what mischief they do to themselves.
Pro 18:8
Tale-bearers are those who secretly carry stories from house to house, which perhaps have some truth in them, but are secrets not fit to be told, or are basely misrepresented, and false colours put upon them, and are all told with design to blast men's reputation, to break their friendship, to make mischief between relations and neighbours, and set them at variance. Now the words of such are here said to be,
Pro 18:9
Note,
Pro 18:10
Here is,
Pro 18:11
Having described the firm and faithful defence of the righteous man (v. 10), Solomon here shows what is the false and deceitful defence of the rich man, that has his portion and treasure in the things of this world, and sets his heart upon them. His wealth is as much his confidence, and he expects as much from it, as a godly man from his God. See,
Pro 18:12
Note,
Pro 18:13
See here how men often expose themselves by that very thing by which they hope to gain applause.
Pro 18:14
Note,
Pro 18:15
Note,
Pro 18:16
Of what great force gifts (that is, bribes) are he had intimated before, ch. 17:8, 23. Here he shows the power of gifts, that is, presents made even by inferiors to those that are above them and have much more than they have. A good present will go far,
Pro 18:17
This shows that one tale is good till another is told.
Pro 18:18
Note,
Pro 18:19
Note,
Pro 18:20
Note,
Pro 18:21
Note,
Pro 18:22
Note,
Pro 18:23
Note,
Pro 18:24
Solomon here recommends friendship to us, and shows,