Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Proverbs » Chapter 13

Proverbs 13:1-25 King James Version (KJV)

1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Proverbs 13:1-25 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 A wise H2450 son H1121 heareth his father's H1 instruction: H4148 but a scorner H3887 heareth H8085 not rebuke. H1606

2 A man H376 shall eat H398 good H2896 by the fruit H6529 of his mouth: H6310 but the soul H5315 of the transgressors H898 shall eat violence. H2555

3 He that keepeth H5341 his mouth H6310 keepeth H8104 his life: H5315 but he that openeth wide H6589 his lips H8193 shall have destruction. H4288

4 The soul H5315 of the sluggard H6102 desireth, H183 and hath nothing: but the soul H5315 of the diligent H2742 shall be made fat. H1878

5 A righteous H6662 man hateth H8130 lying: H1697 H8267 but a wicked H7563 man is loathsome, H887 and cometh to shame. H2659

6 Righteousness H6666 keepeth H5341 him that is upright H8537 in the way: H1870 but wickedness H7564 overthroweth H5557 the sinner. H2403

7 There is H3426 that maketh himself rich, H6238 yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, H7326 yet H3605 hath great H7227 riches. H1952

8 The ransom H3724 of a man's H376 life H5315 are his riches: H6239 but the poor H7326 heareth H8085 not rebuke. H1606

9 The light H216 of the righteous H6662 rejoiceth: H8055 but the lamp H5216 of the wicked H7563 shall be put out. H1846

10 Only by pride H2087 cometh H5414 contention: H4683 but with the well advised H3289 is wisdom. H2451

11 Wealth H1952 gotten by vanity H1892 shall be diminished: H4591 but he that gathereth H6908 by labour H3027 shall increase. H7235

12 Hope H8431 deferred H4900 maketh the heart H3820 sick: H2470 but when the desire H8378 cometh, H935 it is a tree H6086 of life. H2416

13 Whoso despiseth H936 the word H1697 shall be destroyed: H2254 but he that feareth H3373 the commandment H4687 shall be rewarded. H7999

14 The law H8451 of the wise H2450 is a fountain H4726 of life, H2416 to depart H5493 from the snares H4170 of death. H4194

15 Good H2896 understanding H7922 giveth H5414 favour: H2580 but the way H1870 of transgressors H898 is hard. H386

16 Every prudent H6175 man dealeth H6213 with knowledge: H1847 but a fool H3684 layeth open H6566 his folly. H200

17 A wicked H7563 messenger H4397 falleth H5307 into mischief: H7451 but a faithful H529 ambassador H6735 is health. H4832

18 Poverty H7389 and shame H7036 shall be to him that refuseth H6544 instruction: H4148 but he that regardeth H8104 reproof H8433 shall be honoured. H3513

19 The desire H8378 accomplished H1961 is sweet H6149 to the soul: H5315 but it is abomination H8441 to fools H3684 to depart H5493 from evil. H7451

20 He that walketh H1980 with wise H2450 men shall be wise: H2449 but a companion H7462 of fools H3684 shall be destroyed. H7321

21 Evil H7451 pursueth H7291 sinners: H2400 but to the righteous H6662 good H2896 shall be repayed. H7999

22 A good H2896 man leaveth an inheritance H5157 to his children's H1121 children: H1121 and the wealth H2428 of the sinner H2398 is laid up H6845 for the just. H6662

23 Much H7230 food H400 is in the tillage H5215 of the poor: H7218 H7326 but there is H3426 that is destroyed H5595 for want H3808 of judgment. H4941

24 He that spareth H2820 his rod H7626 hateth H8130 his son: H1121 but he that loveth H157 him chasteneth H4148 him betimes. H7836

25 The righteous H6662 eateth H398 to the satisfying H7648 of his soul: H5315 but the belly H990 of the wicked H7563 shall want. H2637

Proverbs 13:1-25 American Standard (ASV)

1 A wise son `heareth' his father's instruction; But a scoffer heareth not rebuke.

2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherous `shall eat' violence.

3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; `But' he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5 A righteous man hateth lying; But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

6 Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way; But wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.

8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth; But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; But he that gathereth by labor shall have increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

13 Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself; But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard.

16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth `his' folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil; But a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame `shall be to' him that refuseth correction; But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.

21 Evil pursueth sinners; But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

23 Much food `is in' the tillage of the poor; But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son; But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul; But the belly of the wicked shall want.

Proverbs 13:1-25 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 A wise son -- the instruction of a father, And a scorner -- he hath not heard rebuke.

2 From the fruit of the mouth a man eateth good, And the soul of the treacherous -- violence.

3 Whoso is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, Whoso is opening wide his lips -- ruin to him!

4 The soul of the slothful is desiring, and hath not. And the soul of the diligent is made fat.

5 A false word the righteous hateth, And the wicked causeth abhorrence, and is confounded.

6 Righteousness keepeth him who is perfect in the way, And wickedness overthroweth a sin offering.

7 There is who is making himself rich, and hath nothing, Who is making himself poor, and wealth `is' abundant.

8 The ransom of a man's life `are' his riches, And the poor hath not heard rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth, And the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

10 A vain man through pride causeth debate, And with the counselled `is' wisdom.

11 Wealth from vanity becometh little, And whoso is gathering by the hand becometh great.

12 Hope prolonged is making the heart sick, And a tree of life `is' the coming desire.

13 Whoso is despising the Word is destroyed for it, And whoso is fearing the Command is repayed.

14 The law of the wise `is' a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.

15 Good understanding giveth grace, And the way of the treacherous `is' hard.

16 Every prudent one dealeth with knowledge, And a fool spreadeth out folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil, And a faithful ambassador is healing.

18 Whoso is refusing instruction -- poverty and shame, And whoso is observing reproof is honoured.

19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, And an abomination to fools `is': Turn from evil.

20 Whoso is walking with wise men is wise, And a companion of fools suffereth evil.

21 Evil pursueth sinners, And good recompenseth the righteous.

22 A good man causeth sons' sons to inherit, And laid up for the righteous `is' the sinner's wealth.

23 Abundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, And substance is consumed without judgment.

24 Whoso is sparing his rod is hating his son, And whoso is loving him hath hastened him chastisement.

25 The righteous is eating to the satiety of his soul, And the belly of the wicked lacketh!

Proverbs 13:1-25 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 A wise son [heareth] his father's instruction; but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; but the soul of the treacherous, violence.

3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his soul; destruction shall be to him that openeth wide his lips.

4 A sluggard's soul desireth and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5 A righteous [man] hateth lying; but the wicked maketh himself odious and cometh to shame.

6 Righteousness preserveth him that is perfect in the way; but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7 There is that feigneth himself rich, and hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, and hath great wealth.

8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches; but the indigent heareth not rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 By pride there only cometh contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth [gotten] by vanity diminisheth; but he that gathereth by manual-labour shall increase [it].

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but the desire [that] cometh to pass is a tree of life.

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be held by it; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise [man] is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding procureth favour; but the way of the treacherous is hard.

16 Every prudent [man] acteth with knowledge; but the foolish layeth open [his] folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil; but a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be [to] him that refuseth instruction; but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; but it is abomination to the foolish to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise [men] becometh wise; but a companion of the foolish will be depraved.

21 Evil pursueth sinners; but to the righteous good shall be repaid.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; but the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous [man].

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor; but there is that is lost for want of judgment.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul; but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Proverbs 13:1-25 World English Bible (WEB)

1 A wise son listens to his father's instruction, But a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.

2 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things; But the unfaithful crave violence.

3 He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, But the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

5 A righteous man hates lies, But a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.

6 Righteousness guards the way of integrity, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.

8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches, But the poor hear no threats.

9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, But the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

10 Pride only breeds quarrels, But with ones who take advice is wisdom.

11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, But he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, But he who respects a command will be rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, To turn from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding wins favor; But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge, But a fool exposes folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a trustworthy envoy gains healing.

18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, But he who heeds correction shall be honored.

19 Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, But fools detest turning from evil.

20 One who walks with wise men grows wise, But a companion of fools suffers harm.

21 Misfortune pursues sinners, But prosperity rewards the righteous.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

23 An abundance of food is in poor people's fields, But injustice sweeps it away.

24 One who spares the rod hates his son, But one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

25 The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

Proverbs 13:1-25 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 A wise son is a lover of teaching, but the ears of the haters of authority are shut to sharp words.

2 A man will get good from the fruit of his lips, but the desire of the false is for violent acts.

3 He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.

4 The hater of work does not get his desires, but the soul of the hard workers will be made fat.

5 The upright man is a hater of false words: the evil-doer gets a bad name and is put to shame.

6 Righteousness keeps safe him whose way is without error, but evil-doers are overturned by sin.

7 A man may be acting as if he had wealth, but have nothing; another may seem poor, but have great wealth.

8 A man will give his wealth in exchange for his life; but the poor will not give ear to sharp words.

9 There is a glad dawn for the upright man, but the light of the sinner will be put out.

10 The only effect of pride is fighting; but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.

11 Wealth quickly got will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased.

12 Hope put off is a weariness to the heart; but when what is desired comes, it is a tree of life.

13 He who makes sport of the word will come to destruction, but the respecter of the law will be rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning men away from the nets of death.

15 Wise behaviour gets approval, but the way of the false is their destruction.

16 A sharp man does everything with knowledge, but a foolish man makes clear his foolish thoughts.

17 A man taking false news is a cause of trouble, but he who gives news rightly makes things well.

18 Need and shame will be the fate of him who is uncontrolled by training; but he who takes note of teaching will be honoured.

19 To get one's desire is sweet to the soul, but to give up evil is disgusting to the foolish.

20 Go with wise men and be wise: but he who keeps company with the foolish will be broken.

21 Evil will overtake sinners, but the upright will be rewarded with good.

22 The heritage of the good man is handed down to his children's children; and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the upright man.

23 There is much food in the ploughed land of the poor; but it is taken away by wrongdoing.

24 He who keeps back his rod is unkind to his son: the loving father gives punishment with care.

25 The upright man has food to the full measure of his desire, but there will be no food for the stomach of evil-doers.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 13

Commentary on Proverbs 13 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 13

Pro 13:1

Among the children of the same parents it is no new thing for some to be hopeful and others the contrary; now here we are taught to distinguish.

  • 1. There is great hope of those that have a reverence for their parents, and are willing to be advised and admonished by them. He is a wise son, and is in a far way to be wiser, that hears his father's instruction, desires to hear it, regards it, and complies with it, and does not merely give it the hearing.
  • 2. There is little hope of those that will not so much as hear rebuke with any patience, but scorn to submit to government and scoff at those that deal faithfully with them. How can those mend a fault who will not be told of it, but count those their enemies who do them that kindness?

Pro 13:2

Note,

  • 1. If that which comes from within, out of the heart, be good, and from a good treasure, it will return with advantage. Inward comfort and satisfaction will be daily bread; nay, it will be a continual feast to those who delight in that communication which is to the use of edifying.
  • 2. Violence done will recoil in the face of him that does it: The soul of the transgressors that harbours and plots mischief, and vents it by word and deed, shall eat violence; they shall have their belly full of it. Reward her as she has rewarded thee, Rev. 18:6. Every man shall drink as he brews, eat as he speaks; for by our words we must be justified or condemned, Mt. 12:37. As our fruit is, so will our food be, Rom. 6:21, 22.

Pro 13:3

Note,

  • 1. A guard upon the lips is a guard to the soul. He that is cautious, that thinks twice before he speaks once, that, if he have thought evil, lays his hand upon his mouth to suppress it, that keeps a strong bridle on his tongue and a strict hand on that bridle, he keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief and saves himself the trouble of many bitter reflections on himself and reflections of others upon him.
  • 2. There is many a one ruined by an ungoverned tongue: He that opens widely his lips, to let our quod in buccam venerit-whatever comes uppermost, that loves to bawl, and bluster, and make a noise, and affects such a liberty of speech as bids defiance both to God and man, he shall have destruction. it will be the destruction of his reputation, his interest, his comfort, and his soul for ever, Jam. 3:6.

Pro 13:4

Here is,

  • 1. The misery and shame of the slothful. See how foolish and absurd they are; they desire the gains which the diligent get, but they hate the pains which the diligent take; they covet every thing that is to be coveted, but will do nothing that is to be done; and therefore it follows, They have nothing; for he that will not labour let him hunger, and let him not eat, 2 Th. 3:10. The desire of the slothful, which should be his excitement, is his torment, which should make him busy, makes him always uneasy, and is really a greater toil to him than labour would be.
  • 2. The happiness and honour of the diligent: Their soul shall be made fat; they shall have abundance, and shall have the comfortable enjoyment of it, and the more for its being the fruit of their diligence. This is especially true in spiritual affairs. Those that rest in idle wishes know not what the advantages of religion are; whereas those that take pains in the service of God find both the pleasure and profit of it.

Pro 13:5

Note,

  • 1. Where grace reigns sin is loathsome. It is the undoubted character of every righteous man that he hates lying (that is, all sin, for every sin is a lie, and particularly all fraud and falsehood in commerce and conversation), not only that he will not tell a lie, but he abhors lying, from a rooted reigning principle of love to truth and justice, and conformity to God.
  • 2. Where sin reigns the man is loathsome. If his eyes were opened, and his conscience awakened, he would be so to himself, he would abhor himself and repent in dust and ashes; however, he is so to God and all good men; particularly, he makes himself so by lying, than which there is nothing more detestable. And, though he may think to face it out awhile, yet he will come to shame and contempt at last and will blush to show his face, Dan. 12:2.

Pro 13:6

See here,

  • 1. Saints secured from ruin. Those that are upright in their way, that mean honestly in all their actions, adhere conscientiously to the sacred and eternal rules of equity, and deal sincerely both with God and man, their integrity will keep them from the temptations of Satan, which shall not prevail over them, the reproaches and injuries of evil men, which shall not fasten upon them, to do them any real mischief, Ps. 25:21.
    • Hic murus aheneus esto, nil conscire sibi.
    • Be this thy brazen bulwark of defence,
    • Still to preserve thy conscious innocence.
  • 2. Sinners secured for ruin. Those that are wicked, even their wickedness will be their overthrow at last, and they are held in the cords of it in the mean time. Are they corrected, destroyed? It is their own wickedness that corrects them, that destroys them; they alone shall bear it.

Pro 13:7

This observation is applicable,

  • I. To men's worldly estate. The world is a great cheat, not only the things of the world, but the men of the world. All men are liars. Here is an instance in two sore evils under the sun:-
    • 1. Some that are really poor would be thought to be rich and are thought to be so; they trade and spend as if they were rich, make a great bustle and a great show as if they had hidden treasures, when perhaps, if all their debts were paid, they are not worth a groat. This is sin, and will be shame; many a one hereby ruins his family and brings reproach upon his profession of religion. Those that thus live above what they have choose to be subject to their own pride rather than to God's providence, and it will end accordingly.
    • 2. Some that are really rich would be thought to be poor, and are thought to be so, because they sordidly and meanly live below what God has given them, and choose rather to bury it than to use it, Eccl. 6:1, 2. In this there is an ingratitude to God, injustice to the family and neighbourhood, and uncharitableness to the poor.
  • II. To their spiritual state. Grace is the riches of the soul; it is true riches; but men commonly misrepresent themselves, either designedly or through mistake and ignorance of themselves.
    • 1. There are many presuming hypocrites, that are really poor and empty of grace and yet either think themselves rich, and will not be convinced of their poverty, or pretend themselves rich, and will not own their poverty.
    • 2. There are many timorous trembling Christians, that are spiritually rich, and full of grace, and yet think themselves poor, and will not be persuaded that they are rich, or, at least, will not own it; by their doubts and fears, their complaints and griefs, they make themselves poor. The former mistake is destroying at last; this is disquieting in the mean time.

Pro 13:8

We are apt to judge of men's blessedness, at least in this world, by their wealth, and that they are more or less happy accordingly as they have more or less of this world's goods; but Solomon here shows what a gross mistake it is, that we may be reconciled to a poor condition, and may neither covet riches ourselves nor envy those that have abundance.

  • 1. Those that are rich, if by some they are respected for their riches, yet, to balance that, by others they are envied and struck at, and brought in danger of their lives, which therefore they are forced to ransom with their riches. Slay us not, for we have treasures in the field, Jer. 41:8. Under some tyrants, it has been crime enough to be rich; and how little is a man beholden to his wealth when it only serves to redeem that life which otherwise would not have been exposed!
  • 2. Those that are poor, if by some, that should be their friends, they are despised and overlooked, yet, to balance that, they are also despised and overlooked by others that would be their enemies if they had any thing to lose: The poor hear not rebuke, are not censured, reproached, accused, nor brought into trouble, as the rich are; for nobody thinks it worth while to take notice of them. When the rich Jews were carried captives to Babylon the poor of the land were left, 2 Ki. 25:12. Welcome nothing, once in seven years. Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator-When a traveller is met by a robber he will rejoice at not having much property about him.

Pro 13:9

Here is,

  • 1. The comfort of good men flourishing and lasting: The light of the righteous rejoices, that is, it increases, and makes them glad. Even their outward prosperity is their joy, and much more those gifts, graces, and comforts, with which their souls are illuminated; these shine more and more, ch. 4:18. The Spirit is their light, and he gives them a fulness of joy, and rejoices to do them good.
  • 2. The comfort of bad men withering and dying: The lamp of the wicked burns dimly and faint; it looks melancholy, like a taper in an urn, and it will shortly be put out in utter darkness, Isa. 50:11. The light of the righteous is as that of the sun, which may be eclipsed and clouded, but will continue; that of the wicked is as a lamp of their own kindling, which will presently go out and is easily put out.

Pro 13:10

Note,

  • 1. Foolish pride is the great make-bate. Would you know whence come wars and fightings? They come from this root of bitterness. Whatever hand other lusts may have in contention (passion, envy, covetousness), pride has the great hand; it is its pride that it will itself sow discord and needs no help. Pride makes men impatient of contradiction in either their opinions or their desires, impatient of competition and rivalship, impatient of contempt, or any thing that looks like a slight, and impatient of concession, and receding, from a conceit of certain right and truth on their side; and hence arise quarrels among relations and neighbours, quarrels in states and kingdoms, in churches and Christian societies. Men will be revenged, will not forgive, because they are proud.
  • 2. Those that are humble and peaceable are wise and well advised. Those that will ask and take advice, that will consult their own consciences, their Bibles, their ministers, their friends, and will do nothing rashly, are wise, as in other things, so in this, that they will humble themselves, will stoop and yield, to preserve quietness and prevent quarrels.

Pro 13:11

This shows that riches wear as they are won and woven.

  • 1. That which is won ill will never wear well, for a curse attends it which will waste it, and the same corrupt dispositions which incline men to the sinful ways of getting well incline them to the like sinful ways of spending: Wealth gotten by vanity will be bestowed upon vanity, and then it will be diminished. That which is got by such employments as are not lawful, or not becoming Christians, such as only serve to feed pride and luxury, that which is got by gaming or by the stage, may as truly be said to be gotten by vanity as that which is got by fraud and lying, and will be diminished. De male quaesitis vix gaudet tertius haeres-Ill-gotten wealth will scarcely be enjoyed by the third generation.
  • 2. That which is got by industry and honesty will grow more, instead of growing less; it will be a maintenance; it will be an inheritance; it will be an abundance. He that labours, working with his hands, shall so increase as that he shall have to give to him that needs (Eph. 4:28); and, when it comes to that, it will increase yet more and more.

Pro 13:12

Note,

  • 1. Nothing is more grievous than the disappointment of a raised expectation, though not in the thing itself by a denial, yet in the time of it by a delay: Hope deferred makes the heart sick and languishing, fretful and peevish; but hope quite dashed kills the heart, and the more high the expectation was raised the more cutting is the frustration of it. It is therefore our wisdom not to promise ourselves any great matters from the creature, not to feed ourselves with any vain hopes from this world, lest we lay up matter for our own vexation; and what we do hope for let us prepare to be disappointed in, that, if it should prove so, it may prove the easier; and let us not be hasty.
  • 2. Nothing is more grateful than to enjoy that, at last, which we have long wished and waited for: When the desire does come it puts men into a sort of paradise, a garden of pleasure, for it is a tree of life. It will aggravate the eternal misery of the wicked that their hopes will be frustrated; and it will make the happiness of heaven the more welcome to the saints that it is what they have earnestly longed for as the crown of their hopes.

Pro 13:13

Here is,

  • 1. The character of one that is marked for ruin: He that despises the word of God, and has no regard to it, no veneration for it, nor will be ruled by it, certainly he shall be destroyed, for he slights that which is the only means of curing a destructive disease and makes himself obnoxious to that divine wrath which will certainly be his destruction. Those that prefer the rules of carnal policy before divine precepts, and the allurements of the world and the flesh before God's promises and comforts, despise his word, giving the preference to those things that stand in competition with it; and it is to their own just destruction: they would not take warning.
  • 2. The character of one that is sure to be happy: He that fears the commandment, that stands in awe of God, pays a deference to his authority, has a reverence for his word, is afraid of displeasing God and incurring the penalties annexed to the commandment, shall not only escape destruction, but shall be rewarded for his godly fear. In keeping the commandment there is great reward.

Pro 13:14

By the law of the wise and righteous, here, we may understand either the principles and rules by which they govern themselves or (which comes all to one) the instructions which they give to others, which ought to be as a law to all about them; and if they be so,

  • 1. They will be constant springs of comfort and satisfaction, as a fountain of life, sending forth streams of living water; the closer we keep to those rules the more effectually we secure our own peace.
  • 2. They will be constant preservatives from the temptations of Satan. Those that follow the dictates of this law will keep at a distance from the snares of sin, and so escape the snares of death which those run into that forsake the law of the wise.

Pro 13:15

If we compare not only the end, but the way, we shall find that religion has the advantage; for,

  • 1. The way of saints is pleasant and agreeable: Good understanding gains favour with God and man; our Saviour grew in that favour when he increased in wisdom. Those that conduct themselves prudently, and order their conversation aright in every thing, that serve Christ in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, are accepted of God and approved of men, Rom. 14:17, 18. And how comfortably will that man pass through the world who is well understood and is therefore well accepted!
  • 2. The way of sinners is rough and uneasy, and, for this reason, unpleasant to themselves, because unacceptable to others. It is hard, hard upon others, who complain of it, hard to the sinner himself, who can have little enjoyment of himself while he is doing that which is disobliging to all mankind. The service of sin is perfect slavery, and the road to hell is strewed with the thorns and thistles that are the products of the curse. Sinners labour in the very fire.

Pro 13:16

Note,

  • 1. It is wisdom to be cautious. Every prudent discreet man does all with knowledge (considering with himself and consulting with others), acts with deliberation and is upon the reserve, is careful not to meddle with that which he has not some knowledge of, not to launch out into business which he has not acquainted himself with, will not deal with those that he has not some knowledge of, whether they may be confided in. He is still dealing in knowledge, that he may increase the stock he has.
  • 2. It is folly to be rash, as the fool is, who is forward to talk of things he knows nothing of and undertake that which he is no way fit for, and so lays open his folly and makes himself ridiculous. He began to build and was not able to finish.

Pro 13:17

Here we have,

  • 1. The ill consequences of betraying a trust. A wicked messenger, who, being sent to negotiate any business, is false to him that employed him, divulges his counsels, and so defeats his designs, cannot expect to prosper, but will certainly fall into some mischief or other, will be discovered and punished, since nothing is more hateful to God and man than the treachery of those that have a confidence reposed in them.
  • 2. The happy effects of fidelity: An ambassador who faithfully discharges his trust, and serves the interests of those who employ him, is health; he is health to those by whom and for whom he is employed, heals differences that are between them, and preserves a good understanding; he is health to himself, for he secures his own interest. This is applicable to ministers, Christ's messengers and ambassadors; those that are wicked and false to Christ and the souls of men do mischief and fall into mischief, but those that are faithful will find sound words to be healing words to others and themselves.

Pro 13:18

Note,

  • 1. He that is so proud that he scorns to be taught will certainly be abased. he that refuses the good instruction offered him, as if it were a reflection upon his honour and an abridgment of his liberty, poverty and shame shall be to him: he will become a beggar and live and die in disgrace; every one will despise him as foolish, and stubborn, and ungovernable.
  • 2. He that is so humble that he takes it well to be told of his faults shall certainly be exalted: He that regards a reproof, whoever gives it to him, and will mend what is amiss when it is shown him, gains respect as wise and candid; he avoids that which would be a disgrace to him and is in a fair way to make himself considerable.

Pro 13:19

This shows the folly of those that refuse instruction, for they might be happy and will not.

  • 1. They might be happy. There are in man strong desires of happiness; God has provided for the accomplishment of those desires, and that would be sweet to the soul, whereas the pleasures of sense are grateful only to the carnal appetite. The desire of good men towards the favour of God and spiritual blessings brings that which is sweet to their souls; we know those that can say so by experience, Ps. 4:6, 7.
  • 2. Yet they will not be happy; for it is an abomination to them to depart from evil, which is necessary to their being happy. Never let those expect any thing truly sweet to their souls that will not be persuaded to leave their sins, but that roll them under their tongues as a sweet morsel.

Pro 13:20

Note,

  • 1. Those that would be good must keep good company, which is an evidence for them that they would be good (men's character is known by the company they choose) and will be a means of making them good, of showing them the way and of quickening and encouraging them in it. He that would be himself wise must walk with those that are so, must choose such for his intimate acquaintance, and converse with them accordingly; must ask and receive instruction from them, and keep up pious and profitable talk with them. Miss not the discourse of the elders, for they also learned of their fathers, Ecclesiasticus 8:9. And (Ecclesiasticus 6:35), Be willing to hear every godly discourse, and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.
  • 2. Multitudes are brought to ruin by bad company: A companion of fools shall be broken (so some), shall be known (so the Septuagint), known to be a fool; noscitur ex socio-he is known by his company. He will be like them (so some), will be made wicked (so others); it comes all to one, for all those, and those only, that make themselves wicked, will be destroyed, and those that associate with evil-doers are debauched, and so undone, and at last ascribe their death to it.

Pro 13:21

Here see,

  • 1. How unavoidable the destruction of sinners is; the wrath of God pursues them, and all the terrors of that wrath: Evil pursues them closely wherever they go, as the avenger of blood pursued the manslayer, and they have no city of refuge to flee to; they attempt an escape, but in vain. Whom God pursues he is sure to overtake. They may prosper for a while and grow very secure, but their damnation slumbers not, though they do.
  • 2. How indefeasible the happiness of the saints is; the God that cannot lie has engaged that to the righteous good shall be repaid. They shall be abundantly recompensed for all the good they have done, and all the ill they have suffered, in this world; so that, though many have been losers for their righteousness, they shall not be losers by it. Though the recompence do not come quickly, it will come in the day of payment, in the world of retribution; and it will be an abundant recompence.

Pro 13:22

See here,

  • 1. How a good man's estate lasts: He leaves an inheritance to his children's children. It is part of his praise that he is thoughtful for posterity, that he does not lay all out upon himself, but is in care to do well for those that come after him, not by withholding more than is meet, but by a prudent and decent frugality. He trains up his children to this, that they may leave it to their children; and especially he is careful, both by justice and charity, to obtain the blessing of God upon what he has, and to entail that blessing upon his children, without which the greatest industry and frugality will be in vain: A good man, by being good and doing good, by honouring the Lord with his substance and spending it in his service, secures it to his posterity; or, if he should not leave them much of this world's goods, his prayers, his instructions, his good example, will be the best entail, and the promises of the covenant will be an inheritance to his children's children, Ps. 103:17.
  • 2. How it increases by the accession of the wealth of the sinner to it, for that is laid up for the just. If it be asked, How should good men grow so rich, who are not so eager upon the world as others are and who commonly suffer for their well-doing? It is here answered, God, in his providence, often brings into their hands that which wicked people had laid up for themselves. The innocent shall divide the silver, Job 27:16, 17. The Israelites shall spoil the Egyptians (Ex. 12:36) and eat the riches of the Gentiles, Isa. 61:6.

Pro 13:23

See here,

  • 1. How a small estate may be improved by industry, so that a man, by making the best of every thing, may live comfortably upon it: Much food is in the tillage of the poor, the poor farmers, that have but a little, but take pains with that little and husband it well. Many make it an excuse for their idleness that they have but a little to work on, a very little to be doing with; but the less compass the field is of the more let the skill and labour of the owner be employed about it, and it will turn to a very good account. Let him dig, and he needs not beg.
  • 2. How a great estate may be ruined by indiscretion: There is that has a great deal, but it is destroyed and brought to nothing for want of judgment, that is, prudence in the management of it. Men over-build themselves or over-buy themselves, keep greater company, or a better table, or more servants, than they can afford, suffer what they have to go to decay and do not make the most of it; by taking up money themselves, or being bound for others, their estates are sunk, their families reduced, and all for want of judgment.

Pro 13:24

Note,

  • 1. To the education of children in that which is good there is necessary a due correction of them for what is amiss; every child of ours is a child of Adam, and therefore has that foolishness bound up in its heart which calls for rebuke, more or less, the rod and reproof which give wisdom. Observe, It is his rod that must be used, the rod of a parent, directed by wisdom and love, and designed for good, not the rod of a servant.
  • 2. It is good to begin betimes with the necessary restraints of children from that which is evil, before vicious habits are confirmed. The branch is easily bent when it is tender.
  • 3. Those really hate their children, though they pretend to be fond of them, that do not keep them under a strict discipline, and by all proper methods, severe ones when gentle ones will not serve, make them sensible of their faults and afraid of offending. They abandon them to their worst enemy, to the most dangerous disease, and therefore hate them. Let this reconcile children to the correction their good parents give them; it is from love, and for their good, Heb. 12:7-9.

Pro 13:25

Note,

  • 1. It is the happiness of the righteous that they shall have enough and that they know when they have enough. They desire not to be surfeited, but, being moderate in their desires, they are soon satisfied. nature is content with a little and grace with less; enough is as good as a feast. Those that feed on the bread of life, that feast on the promises, meet with abundant satisfaction of soul there, eat, and are filled.
  • 2. It is the misery of the wicked that, through the insatiableness of their own desires, they are always needy; not only their souls shall not be satisfied with the world and the flesh, but even their belly shall want; their sensual appetite is always craving. In hell they shall be denied a drop of water.