2 When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.
3 A man who is a lover of wisdom is a joy to his father: but he who goes in the company of loose women is a waster of wealth.
4 A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.
5 A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.
6 In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.
7 The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.
8 Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.
9 If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.
10 Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.
11 A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.
12 If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 29
Commentary on Proverbs 29 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 29
Pro 29:1
Here,
Pro 29:2
This is what was said before, ch. 28:12, 28.
Pro 29:3
Both the parts of this verse repeat what has been often said, but, on comparing them together, the sense of them will be enlarged from each other.
Pro 29:4
Here is,
Pro 29:5
Those may be said to flatter their neighbours who commend and applaud that good in them (the good they do or the good they have) which really either is not or is not such as they represent it, and who profess that esteem and that affection for them which really they have not; these spread a net for their feet.
Pro 29:6
Here is,
Pro 29:7
It is a pity but that every one who sues sub formâ pauperis-as a pauper, should have an honest cause (they are of all others inexcusable if they have not), because the scripture has so well provided that it should have a fair hearing, and that the judge himself should be of counsel, as for the prisoner, so for the pauper.
Pro 29:8
See here,
Pro 29:9
A wise man is here advised not to set his wit to a fool's, not to dispute with him, or by contending with him to think either of fastening reason upon him or gaining right from him: If a wise man contend with a wise man, he may hope to be understood, and, as far as he has reason and equity on his side, to carry his point, at least to bring the controversy to a head and make it issue amicably; but, if he contend with a foolish man, there is no rest; he will see no end of it, nor will he have any satisfaction in it, but must expect to be always uneasy.
Pro 29:10
Note,
Pro 29:11
Note,
Pro 29:12
Note,
Pro 29:13
This shows how wisely the great God serves the designs of his providence by persons of very different tempers, capacities, and conditions in the world, even,
Pro 29:14
Here is,
Pro 29:15
Parents, in educating their children, must consider,
Pro 29:16
Note,
Pro 29:17
Note,
Pro 29:18
See here,
Pro 29:19
Here is the description of an unprofitable, slothful, wicked servant, a slave that serves not from conscience, or love, but purely from fear. Let those that have such servants put on patience to bear the vexation and not disturb themselves at it. See their character.
Pro 29:20
Solomon here shows that there is little hope of bringing a man to wisdom that is hasty either,
Pro 29:21
Note,
Pro 29:22
See here the mischief that flows from an angry, passionate, furious disposition.
Pro 29:23
This agrees with what Christ said more than once,
Pro 29:24
See here what sin and ruin those involve themselves in who are drawn away by the enticement of sinners.
Pro 29:25
Here,
Pro 29:26
See here,
Pro 29:27
This expresses not only the innate contrariety that there is between virtue and vice, as between light and darkness, fire and water, but the old enmity that has always been between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Gen. 3:15.