Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Proverbs » Chapter 14

Proverbs 14:1-35 King James Version (KJV)

1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Proverbs 14:1-35 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Every wise H2454 woman H802 buildeth H1129 her house: H1004 but the foolish H200 plucketh it down H2040 with her hands. H3027

2 He that walketh H1980 in his uprightness H3476 feareth H3373 the LORD: H3068 but he that is perverse H3868 in his ways H1870 despiseth H959 him.

3 In the mouth H6310 of the foolish H191 is a rod H2415 of pride: H1346 but the lips H8193 of the wise H2450 shall preserve H8104 them.

4 Where no oxen H504 are, the crib H18 is clean: H1249 but much H7230 increase H8393 is by the strength H3581 of the ox. H7794

5 A faithful H529 witness H5707 will not lie: H3577 but a false H8267 witness H5707 will utter H6315 lies. H3576

6 A scorner H3887 seeketh H1245 wisdom, H2451 and findeth it not: but knowledge H1847 is easy H7043 unto him that understandeth. H995

7 Go H3212 from the presence H5048 of a foolish H3684 man, H376 when thou perceivest H3045 not in him the lips H8193 of knowledge. H1847

8 The wisdom H2451 of the prudent H6175 is to understand H995 his way: H1870 but the folly H200 of fools H3684 is deceit. H4820

9 Fools H191 make a mock H3887 at sin: H817 but among the righteous H3477 there is favour. H7522

10 The heart H3820 knoweth H3045 his own H5315 bitterness; H4787 and a stranger H2114 doth not intermeddle H6148 with his joy. H8057

11 The house H1004 of the wicked H7563 shall be overthrown: H8045 but the tabernacle H168 of the upright H3477 shall flourish. H6524

12 There is H3426 a way H1870 which seemeth right H3477 unto H6440 a man, H376 but the end H319 thereof are the ways H1870 of death. H4194

13 Even in laughter H7814 the heart H3820 is sorrowful; H3510 and the end H319 of that mirth H8057 is heaviness. H8424

14 The backslider H5472 in heart H3820 shall be filled H7646 with his own ways: H1870 and a good H2896 man H376 shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple H6612 believeth H539 every word: H1697 but the prudent H6175 man looketh well H995 to his going. H838

16 A wise H2450 man feareth, H3373 and departeth H5493 from evil: H7451 but the fool H3684 rageth, H5674 and is confident. H982

17 He that is soon H7116 angry H639 dealeth H6213 foolishly: H200 and a man H376 of wicked devices H4209 is hated. H8130

18 The simple H6612 inherit H5157 folly: H200 but the prudent H6175 are crowned H3803 with knowledge. H1847

19 The evil H7451 bow H7817 before H6440 the good; H2896 and the wicked H7563 at the gates H8179 of the righteous. H6662

20 The poor H7326 is hated H8130 even of his own neighbour: H7453 but the rich H6223 hath many H7227 friends. H157

21 He that despiseth H936 his neighbour H7453 sinneth: H2398 but he that hath mercy H2603 on the poor, H6035 H6041 happy H835 is he.

22 Do they not err H8582 that devise H2790 evil? H7451 but mercy H2617 and truth H571 shall be to them that devise H2790 good. H2896

23 In all labour H6089 there is profit: H4195 but the talk H1697 of the lips H8193 tendeth only to penury. H4270

24 The crown H5850 of the wise H2450 is their riches: H6239 but the foolishness H200 of fools H3684 is folly. H200

25 A true H571 witness H5707 delivereth H5337 souls: H5315 but a deceitful H4820 witness speaketh H6315 lies. H3577

26 In the fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 is strong H5797 confidence: H4009 and his children H1121 shall have a place of refuge. H4268

27 The fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 is a fountain H4726 of life, H2416 to depart H5493 from the snares H4170 of death. H4194

28 In the multitude H7230 of people H5971 is the king's H4428 honour: H1927 but in the want H657 of people H3816 is the destruction H4288 of the prince. H7333

29 He that is slow H750 to wrath H639 is of great H7227 understanding: H8394 but he that is hasty H7116 of spirit H7307 exalteth H7311 folly. H200

30 A sound H4832 heart H3820 is the life H2416 of the flesh: H1320 but envy H7068 the rottenness H7538 of the bones. H6106

31 He that oppresseth H6231 the poor H1800 reproacheth H2778 his Maker: H6213 but he that honoureth H3513 him hath mercy H2603 on the poor. H34

32 The wicked H7563 is driven away H1760 in his wickedness: H7451 but the righteous H6662 hath hope H2620 in his death. H4194

33 Wisdom H2451 resteth H5117 in the heart H3820 of him that hath understanding: H995 but that which is in the midst H7130 of fools H3684 is made known. H3045

34 Righteousness H6666 exalteth H7311 a nation: H1471 but sin H2403 is a reproach H2617 to any people. H3816

35 The king's H4428 favour H7522 is toward a wise H7919 servant: H5650 but his wrath H5678 is against him that causeth shame. H954

Proverbs 14:1-35 American Standard (ASV)

1 Every wise woman buildeth her house; But the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for `his' pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness will not lie; But a false witness uttereth lies.

6 A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and `findeth it' not; But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.

7 Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive `in him' the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.

9 A trespass-offering mocketh fools; But among the upright there is good will.

10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness; And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; But the tent of the upright shall flourish.

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of mirth is heaviness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; And a good man `shall be satisfied' from himself.

15 The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.

17 He that is soon angry will deal foolishly; And a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly; But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow down before the good; And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbor; But the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth; But he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? But mercy and truth `shall be to' them that devise good.

23 In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips `tendeth' only to penury.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches; `But' the folly of fools is `only' folly.

25 A true witness delivereth souls; But he that uttereth lies `causeth' deceit.

26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence; And his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory; But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh; But envy is the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.

32 The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing; But the righteous hath a refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But `that which is' in the inward part of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; But his wrath will be `against' him that causeth shame.

Proverbs 14:1-35 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Every wise woman hath builded her house, And the foolish with her hands breaketh it down.

2 Whoso is walking in his uprightness is fearing Jehovah, And the perverted `in' his ways is despising Him.

3 In the mouth of a fool `is' a rod of pride, And the lips of the wise preserve them.

4 Without oxen a stall `is' clean, And great `is' the increase by the power of the ox.

5 A faithful witness lieth not, And a false witness breatheth out lies.

6 A scorner hath sought wisdom, and it is not, And knowledge to the intelligent `is' easy.

7 Go from before a foolish man, Or thou hast not known the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent `is' to understand his way, And the folly of fools `is' deceit.

9 Fools mock at a guilt-offering, And among the upright -- a pleasing thing.

10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness, And with its joy a stranger doth not intermeddle.

11 The house of the wicked is destroyed, And the tent of the upright flourisheth.

12 There is a way -- right before a man, And its latter end `are' ways of death.

13 Even in laughter is the heart pained, And the latter end of joy `is' affliction.

14 From his ways is the backslider in heart filled, And a good man -- from his fruits.

15 The simple giveth credence to everything, And the prudent attendeth to his step.

16 The wise is fearing and turning from evil, And a fool is transgressing and is confident.

17 Whoso is short of temper doth folly, And a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The simple have inherited folly, And the prudent are crowned `with' knowledge.

19 The evil have bowed down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 Even of his neighbour is the poor hated, And those loving the rich `are' many.

21 Whoso is despising his neighbour sinneth, Whoso is favouring the humble, O his happiness.

22 Do not they err who are devising evil? And kindness and truth `are' to those devising good,

23 In all labour there is advantage, And a thing of the lips `is' only to want.

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, The folly of fools `is' folly.

25 A true witness is delivering souls, And a deceitful one breatheth out lies.

26 In the fear of Jehovah `is' strong confidence, And to His sons there is a refuge.

27 The fear of Jehovah `is' a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.

28 In the multitude of a people `is' the honour of a king, And in lack of people the ruin of a prince.

29 Whoso is slow to anger `is' of great understanding, And whoso is short in temper is exalting folly.

30 A healed heart `is' life to the flesh, And rottenness to the bones `is' envy.

31 An oppressor of the poor reproacheth his Maker, And whoso is honouring Him Is favouring the needy.

32 In his wickedness is the wicked driven away, And trustful in his death `is' the righteous.

33 In the heart of the intelligent wisdom doth rest. And in the midst of fools it is known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation, And the goodliness of peoples `is' a sin-offering.

35 The favour of a king `is' to a wise servant, And an object of his wrath is one causing shame!

Proverbs 14:1-35 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 The wisdom of women buildeth their house; but folly plucketh it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; but he that is perverted in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the fool's mouth is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness uttereth lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none [for him]; but knowledge is easy unto the intelligent.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, in whom thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way; but the folly of the foolish is deceit.

9 Fools make a mock at trespass; but for the upright there is favour.

10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; but the tent of the upright shall flourish.

12 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is sadness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man from what is in himself.

15 The simple believeth every word; but the prudent [man] heedeth his going.

16 A wise [man] feareth and departeth from evil; but the foolish is overbearing and confident.

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly, and a man of mischievous devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous [man].

20 He that is poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious to the afflicted, happy is he.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? but loving-kindness and truth are for those that devise good.

23 In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to want.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of the foolish is folly.

25 A true witness delivereth souls; but deceit uttereth lies.

26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the lack of people is the ruin of a prince.

29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth Him is gracious to the needy.

32 The wicked is driven away by his evil-doing; but the righteous trusteth, [even] in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of the intelligent [man]; but that which is in the foolish maketh itself known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to peoples.

35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant; but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.

Proverbs 14:1-35 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Every wise woman builds her house, But the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, But he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

3 The fool's talk brings a rod to his back, But the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5 A truthful witness will not lie, But a false witness pours out lies.

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn't find it, But knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.

7 Stay away from a foolish man, For you won't find knowledge on his lips.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.

9 Fools mock at making atonement for sins, But among the upright there is good will.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; He will not share these with a stranger.

11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But in the end it leads to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, And mirth may end in heaviness.

14 The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; Likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

15 A simple man believes everything, But the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

16 A wise man fears, and shuns evil, But the fool is hotheaded and reckless.

17 He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, And a crafty man is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, But the rich person has many friends.

21 He who despises his neighbor sins, But blessed is he who has pity on the poor.

22 Don't they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.

23 In all hard work there is profit, But the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

25 A truthful witness saves souls, But a false witness is deceitful.

26 In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, And he will be a refuge for his children.

27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, Turning people from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory, But in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who has a quick temper displays folly.

30 The life of the body is a heart at peace, But envy rots the bones.

31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, But he who is kind to the needy honors him.

32 The wicked is brought down in his calamity, But in death, the righteous has a refuge.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, And is even made known in the inward part of fools.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

35 The king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, But his wrath is toward one who causes shame.

Proverbs 14:1-35 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Wisdom is building her house, but the foolish woman is pulling it down with her hands.

2 He who goes on his way in righteousness has before him the fear of the Lord; but he whose ways are twisted gives him no honour.

3 In the mouth of the foolish man is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will keep them safe.

4 Where there are no oxen, their food-place is clean; but much increase comes through the strength of the ox.

5 A true witness does not say what is false, but a false witness is breathing out deceit.

6 The hater of authority, searching for wisdom, does not get it; but knowledge comes readily to the open-minded man.

7 Go away from the foolish man, for you will not see the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the man of good sense makes his way clear; but the unwise behaviour of the foolish is deceit.

9 In the tents of those hating authority there is error, but in the house of the upright man there is grace.

10 No one has knowledge of a man's grief but himself; and a strange person has no part in his joy.

11 The house of the sinner will be overturned, but the tent of the upright man will do well.

12 There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.

13 Even while laughing the heart may be sad; and after joy comes sorrow.

14 He whose heart is turned away will have the reward of his ways in full measure; but a good man will have the reward of his doings.

15 The simple man has faith in every word, but the man of good sense gives thought to his footsteps.

16 The wise man, fearing, keeps himself from evil; but the foolish man goes on in his pride, with no thought of danger.

17 He who is quickly angry will do what is foolish, but the man of good sense will have quiet.

18 Foolish behaviour is the heritage of the simple, but men of good sense are crowned with knowledge.

19 The knees of the evil are bent before the good; and sinners go down in the dust at the doors of the upright.

20 The poor man is hated even by his neighbour, but the man of wealth has numbers of friends.

21 He who has no respect for his neighbour is a sinner, but he who has pity for the poor is happy.

22 Will not the designers of evil come into error? But mercy and good faith are for the designers of good.

23 In all hard work there is profit, but talk only makes a man poor.

24 Their wisdom is a crown to the wise, but their foolish behaviour is round the head of the unwise.

25 A true witness is the saviour of lives; but he who says false things is a cause of deceit.

26 For him in whose heart is the fear of the Lord there is strong hope: and his children will have a safe place.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, by which one may be turned from the nets of death.

28 A king's glory is in the number of his people: and for need of people a ruler may come to destruction.

29 He who is slow to be angry has great good sense; but he whose spirit is over-quick gives support to what is foolish.

30 A quiet mind is the life of the body, but envy is a disease in the bones.

31 He who is hard on the poor puts shame on his Maker; but he who has mercy on those who are in need gives him honour.

32 The sinner is overturned in his evil-doing, but the upright man has hope in his righteousness.

33 Wisdom has her resting-place in the mind of the wise, but she is not seen among the foolish.

34 By righteousness a nation is lifted up, but sin is a cause of shame to the peoples.

35 The king has pleasure in a servant who does wisely, but his wrath is against him who is a cause of shame.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 14

Commentary on Proverbs 14 Matthew Henry Commentary

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

Chapter 14

Pro 14:1

Note,

  • 1. A good wife is a great blessing to a family. By a fruitful wife a family is multiplied and replenished with children, and so built up. But by a prudent wife, one that is pious, industrious, and considerate, the affairs of the family are made to prosper, debts are paid, portions raised, provision made, the children well educated and maintained, and the family has comfort within doors and credit without; thus is the house built. She looks upon it as her own to take care of, though she knows it is her husband's to bear rule in, Esth. 1:22.
  • 2. Many a family is brought to ruin by ill housewifery, as well as by ill husbandry. A foolish woman, that has no fear of God nor regard to her business, that is wilful, and wasteful, and humoursome, that indulges her ease and appetite, and is all for jaunting and feasting, cards and the play-house, though she come to a plentiful estate, and to a family beforehand, she will impoverish and waste it, and will as certainly be the ruin of her house as if she plucked it down with her hands; and the husband himself, with all his care, can scarcely prevent it.

Pro 14:2

Here are,

  • 1. Grace and sin in their true colours. Grace reigning is a reverence of God, and gives honour to him who is infinitely great and high, and to whom all honour is due, than which what is more becoming or should be more pleasing to the rational creature? Sin reigning is no less than a contempt of God. In this, more than in any thing, sin appears exceedingly sinful, that it despises God, whom angels adore. Those that despise God's precepts, and will not be ruled by them, his promises, and will not accept of them, despise God himself and all his attributes.
  • 2. Grace and sin in their true light. By this we may know a man that has grace, and the fear of God, reigning in him, he walks in his uprightness, he makes conscience of his actions, is faithful both to God and man, and every stop he makes, as well as every step he takes, is by rule; here is one that honours God. But, on the contrary, he that is perverse in his ways, that wilfully follows his own appetites and passions, that is unjust and dishonest and contradicts his profession in his conversation, however he may pretend to devotion, he is a wicked man, and will be reckoned with as a despiser of God himself.

Pro 14:3

See here,

  • 1. A proud fool exposing himself. Where there is pride in the heart, and no wisdom in the head to suppress it, it commonly shows itself in the words: In the mouth there is pride, proud boasting, proud censuring, proud scorning, proud commanding and giving law; this is the rod, or branch, of pride; the word is used only here and Isa. 11:1. It grows from that root of bitterness which is in the heart; it is a rod from that stem. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer this branch, or it is meant of a smiting beating rod, a rod of pride which strikes others. The proud man with his tongue lays about him and deals blows at pleasure, but it will in the end be a rod to himself; the proud man shall come under an ignominious correction by the words of his own mouth, not cut as a soldier, but caned as a servant; and herein he will be beaten with his own rod, Ps. 64:8.
  • 2. A humble wise man saving himself and consulting his own good: The lips of the wise shall preserve them from doing that mischief to others which proud men do with their tongues, and from bringing that mischief on themselves which haughty scorners are often involved in.

Pro 14:4

Note,

  • 1. The neglect of husbandry is the way to poverty: Where no oxen are, to till the ground and tread out the corn, the crib is empty, is clean; there is no straw for the cattle, and consequently no bread for the service of man. Scarcity is represented by cleanness of teeth, Amos 4:6. Where no oxen are there is nothing to be done at the ground, and then nothing to be had out of it; the crib indeed is clean from dung, which pleases the neat and nice, that cannot endure husbandry because there is so much dirty work in it, and therefore will sell their oxen to keep the crib clean; but then not only the labour, but even the dung of the ox is wanted. This shows the folly of those who addict themselves to the pleasures of the country, but do not mind the business of it, who (as we say) keep more horses than kine, more dogs than swine; their families must needs suffer by it.
  • 2. Those who take pains about their ground are likely to reap the profit of it. Those who keep that about them which is for use and service, not for state and show, more husbandmen than footmen, are likely to thrive. Much increase is by the strength of the ox; that is made for our service, and is profitable alive and dead.

Pro 14:5

In the administration of justice much depends upon the witnesses, and therefore it is necessary to the common good that witnesses be principled as they ought to be; for,

  • 1. A witness that is conscientious will not dare to give in a testimony that is in the least untrue, nor, for good-will or ill-will, represent a thing otherwise than according to the best of his knowledge, whoever is pleased or displeased, and then judgment runs down like a river.
  • 2. But a witness that will be bribed, and biassed, and browbeaten, will utter lies (and not stick nor startle at it), with as much readiness and assurance as if what he said were all true.

Pro 14:6

Note,

  • 1. The reason why some people seek wisdom, and do not find it, is because they do not seek it from a right principle and in a right manner. They are scorners, and it is in scorn that they ask instruction, that they may ridicule what is told them and may cavil at it. Many put questions to Christ, tempting him, and that they might have whereof to accuse him, but they were never the wiser. No marvel if those who seek wisdom, as Simon Magus sought the gifts of the Holy Ghost, to serve their pride and covetousness, do not find it, for they seek amiss. Herod desired to see a miracle, but he was a scorner, and therefore it was denied him, Lu. 23:8. Scorners speed not in prayer.
  • 2. To those who understand aright, who depart from evil (for that is understanding), the knowledge of God and of his will is easy. The parables which harden scorners in their scorning, and make divine things more difficult to them, enlighten those who are willing to learn, and make the same things more plain, and intelligible, and familiar to them, Mt. 13:11, 15, 16. The same word which to the scornful is a savour of death unto death to the humble and serious is a savour of life unto life. He that understands, so as to depart from evil (for that is understanding), to quit his prejudices, to lay aside all corrupt dispositions and affections, will easily apprehend instruction and receive the impressions of it.

Pro 14:7

See here,

  • 1. How we may discern a fool and discover him, a wicked man, for he is a foolish man. If we perceive not in him the lips of knowledge, if we find there is no relish or savour of piety in his discourse, that his communication is all corrupt and corrupting, and nothing in it good and to the use of edifying, we may conclude the treasure is bad.
  • 2. How we must decline such a one and depart from him: Go from his presence, for thou perceivest there is no good to be gotten by his company, but danger of getting hurt by it. Sometimes the only way we have of reproving wicked discourse and witnessing against it is by leaving the company and going out of the hearing of it.

Pro 14:8

See here,

  • 1. The good conduct of a wise and good man; he manages himself well. it is not the wisdom of the learned, which consists only in speculation, that is here recommended, but the wisdom of the prudent, which is practical, and is of use to direct our counsels and actions. Christian prudence consists in a right understanding of our way; for we are travellers, whose concern it is, not to spy wonders, but to get forward towards their journey's end. It is to understand our own way, not to be critics and busybodies in other men's matters, but to look well to ourselves and ponder the path of our feet, to understand the directions of our way, that we may observe them, the dangers of our way, that we may avoid them, the difficulties of our way, that we may break through them, and the advantages of our way, that we may improve them-to understand the rules we are to walk by and the ends we are to walk towards, and walk accordingly.
  • 2. The bad conduct of a bad man; he puts a cheat upon himself. He does not rightly understand his way; he thinks he does, and so misses his way, and goes on in his mistake: The folly of fools is deceit; it cheats them into their own ruin. The folly of him that built on the sand was deceit.

Pro 14:9

See here,

  • 1. How wicked people are hardened in their wickedness: they make a mock at sin. They make a laughing matter of the sins of others, making themselves and their companions merry with that for which they should mourn, and they make a light matter of their own sins, both when they are tempted to sin and when they have committed it; they call evil good and good evil (Isa. 5:20), turn it off with a jest, rush into sin (Jer. 8:6) and say they shall have peace though they go on. They care not what mischief they do by their sins, and laugh at those that tell them of it. They are advocates for sin, and are ingenious at framing excuses for it. Fools make a mock at the sin-offering (so some); those that make light of sin make light of Christ. Those are fools that make light of sin, for they make light of that which God complains of (Amos 2:13), which lay heavily upon Christ, and which they themselves will have other thoughts of shortly.
  • 2. How good people are encouraged in their goodness: Among the righteous there is favour; if they in any thing offend, they presently repent and obtain the favour of God. They have a goodwill one to another; and among them, in their societies, there is mutual charity and compassion in cases of offences, and no mocking.

Pro 14:10

This agrees with 1 Co. 2:11, What man knows the things of a man, and the changes of his temper, save the spirit of a man?

  • 1. Every man feels most from his own burden, especially that which is a burden upon the spirits, for that is commonly concealed and the sufferer keeps it to himself. We must not censure the griefs of others, for we know not what they feel; their stroke perhaps is heavier than their groaning.
  • 2. Many enjoy a secret pleasure, especially in divine consolations, which others are not aware of, much less are sharers in; and, as the sorrows of a penitent, so the joys of a believer are such as a stranger does not intermeddle with and therefore is no competent judge of.

Pro 14:11

Note,

  • 1. Sin is the ruin of great families: The house of the wicked, though built ever so strong and high, shall be overthrown, shall be brought to poverty and disgrace, and at length be extinct. His hope for heaven, the house on which he leans, shall not stand, but fail in the storm; the deluge that comes will sweep it away.
  • 2. Righteousness is the rise and stability even of mean families: Even the tabernacle of the upright, though movable and despicable as a tent, shall flourish, in outward prosperity if Infinite Wisdom see good, at all events in graces and comfort, which are true riches and honours.

Pro 14:12

We have here an account of the way and end of a great many self-deluded souls.

  • 1. Their way is seemingly fair: It seems right to themselves; they please themselves with a fancy that they are as they should be, that their opinions and practices are good, and such as will bear them out. The way of ignorance and carelessness, the way of worldliness and earthly-mindedness, the way of sensuality and flesh-pleasing, seem right to those that walk in them, much more the way of hypocrisy in religion, external performances, partial reformations, and blind zeal; this they imagine will bring them to heaven; they flatter themselves in their own eyes that all will be well at last.
  • 2. Their end is really fearful, and the more so for their mistake: It is the ways of death, eternal death; their iniquity will certainly be their ruin, and they will perish with a lie in their right hand. Self-deceivers will prove in the end self-destroyers.

Pro 14:13

This shows the vanity of carnal mirth, and proves what Solomon said of laughter, that it is mad; for,

  • 1. There is sadness under it. Sometimes when sinners are under convictions, or some great trouble, they dissemble their grief by a forced mirth, and put a good face on it, because they will not seem to yield: they cry not when he binds them. Nay, when men really are merry, yet at the same time there is some alloy or other to their mirth, something that casts a damp upon it, which all their gaiety cannot keep from their heart. Their consciences tell them they have no reason to be merry (Hos. 9:1); they cannot but see the vanity of it. Spiritual joy is seated in the soul; the joy of the hypocrite is but from the teeth outward. See Jn. 16:22; 2 Co. 6:10.
  • 2. There is worse after it: The end of that mirth is heaviness. It is soon over, like the crackling of thorns under a pot; and, if the conscience be awake, all sinful and profane mirth will be reflected upon with bitterness; if not, the heaviness will be so much the greater when for all these things God shall bring the sinner into judgment. The sorrows of the saints will end in everlasting joys (Ps. 126:5), but the laughter of fools will end in endless weeping and wailing.

Pro 14:14

Note,

  • 1. The misery of sinners will be an eternal surfeit upon their sins: The backslider in heart, who for fear of suffering, or in hope of profit or pleasure, forsakes God and his duty, shall be filled with his own ways; God will give him enough of them. They would not leave their brutish lusts and passions, and therefore they shall stick by them, to their everlasting terror and torment. He that is filthy shall be filthy still. "Son, remember,' shall fill them with their own ways, and set their sins in order before them. Backsliding begins in the heart; it is the evil heart of unbelief that departs from God; and of all sinners backsliders will have most terror when they reflect on their own ways, Lu. 11:26.
  • 2. The happiness of the saints will be an eternal satisfaction in their graces, as tokens of and qualifications for God's peculiar favour: A good man shall be abundantly satisfied from himself, from what God has wrought in him. He has rejoicing in himself alone, Gal. 6:4. As sinners never think they have sin enough till it brings them to hell, so saints never think they have grace enough till it brings them to heaven.

Pro 14:15

Note,

  • 1. It is folly to be credulous, to heed every flying report, to give ear to every man's story, though ever so improbable, to take things upon trust from common fame, to depend upon every man's profession of friendship and give credit to every one that will promise payment; those are simple who thus believe every word, forgetting that all men, in some sense, are liars in comparison with God, all whose words we are to believe with an implicit faith, for he cannot lie.
  • 2. It is wisdom to be cautious: The prudent man will try before he trusts, will weigh both the credibility of the witness and the probability of the testimony, and then give judgment as the thing appears or suspend his judgment till it appears. Prove all things, and believe not every spirit.

Pro 14:16

Note,

  • 1. Holy fear is an excellent guard upon every holy thing, and against every thing that is unholy. It is wisdom to depart from evil, from the evil of sin, and thereby from all other evil; and therefore it is wisdom to fear, that is, to be jealous over ourselves with a godly jealousy, to keep up a dread of God's wrath, to be afraid of coming near the borders of sin or dallying with the beginnings of it. A wise man, for fear of harm, keeps out of harm's way, and starts back in a fright when he finds himself entering into temptation.
  • 2. Presumption is folly. He who, when he is warned of his danger, rages and is confident, furiously pushes on, cannot bear to be checked, bids defiance to the wrath and curse of God, and, fearless of danger, persists in his rebellion, makes bold with the occasions of sin, and plays upon the precipice, he is a fool, for he acts against his reason and his interest, and his ruin will quickly be the proof of his folly.

Pro 14:17

Note,

  • 1. Passionate men are justly laughed at. Men who are peevish and touchy, and are soon angry upon every the least provocation, deal foolishly; they say and do that which is ridiculous, and so expose themselves to contempt; they themselves cannot but be ashamed of it when the heat is over. The consideration of this should engage those especially who are in reputation for wisdom and honour with the utmost care to bridle their passion.
  • 2. Malicious men are justly dreaded and detested, for they are much more dangerous and mischievous to all societies: A man of wicked devices, who stifles his resentments till he has an opportunity of being revenged, and is secretly plotting how to wrong his neighbour and to do him an ill turn, as Cain to kill Abel, such a man as this is hated by all mankind. The character of an angry man is pitiable; through the surprise of a temptation he disturbs and disgraces himself, but it is soon over, and he is sorry for it. But that of a spiteful revengeful man is odious; there is no fence against him nor cure for him.

Pro 14:18

Note,

  • 1. Sin is the shame of sinners: The simple, who love simplicity, get nothing by it; they inherit folly. They have it by inheritance, so some. This corruption of nature is derived from our first parents, and all the calamities that attend it we have by kind; it was the inheritance they transmitted to their degenerate race, an hereditary disease. They are as fond of it as a man of his inheritance, hold it as fast, and are as loth to part with it. What they value themselves upon is really foolish; and what will be the issue of their simplicity but folly? They will for ever rue their own foolish choice.
  • 2. Wisdom is the honour of the wise: The prudent crown themselves with knowledge, they look upon it as their brightest ornament, and there is nothing they are so ambitious of; they bind it to their heads as a crown, which they will by no means part with; they press towards the top and perfection of knowledge, which will crown their beginnings and progress. They shall have the praise of it; wise heads shall be respected as if they were crowned heads. They crown knowledge (so some read it); they are a credit to their profession. Wisdom is not only justified, but glorified, of all her children.

Pro 14:19

That is,

  • 1. The wicked are oftentimes impoverished and brought low, so that they are forced to beg, their wickedness having reduced them to straits; while good men, by the blessing of God, are enriched, and enabled to give, and do give, even to the evil; for where God grants life we must not deny a livelihood.
  • 2. Sometimes God extorts, even from bad men, an acknowledgement of the excellency of God's people. The evil ought always to bow before the good, and sometimes they are made to do it and to know that God has loved them, Rev. 3:9. They desire their favour (Esth. 7:7), their prayers, 2 Ki. 3:12.
  • 3. There is a day coming when the upright shall have the dominion (Ps. 49:14), when the foolish virgins shall come begging to the wise for oil, and shall knock in vain at that gate of the Lord at which the righteous entered.

Pro 14:20

This shows, not what should be, but what is the common way of the world-to be shy of the poor and fond of the rich.

  • 1. Few will give countenance to those whom the world frowns upon, though otherwise worthy of respect: The poor, who should be pitied, and encouraged, and relieved, is hated, looked strange upon, and kept at a distance, even by his own neighbour, who, before he fell into disgrace, was intimate with him and pretended to have a kindness for him. Most are swallow-friends, that are gone in winter. It is good having God our friend, for he will not desert us when we are poor.
  • 2. Every one will make court to those whom the world smiles upon, though otherwise unworthy: The rich have many friends, friends to their riches, in hope to get something out of them. There is little friendship in the world but what is governed by self-interest, which is no true friendship at all, nor what a wise man will either value himself on or put any confidence in. Those that make the world their God idolize those that have most of its good things, and seek their favour as if indeed they were Heaven's favourites.

Pro 14:21

See here how men's character and condition are measured and judged of by their conduct towards their poor neighbours.

  • 1. Those that look upon them with contempt have here assigned them a bad character, and their condition will be accordingly: He that despises his neighbour because he is low in the world, because he is of a mean extraction, rustic education, and makes but a mean figure, that thinks it below him to take notice of him, converse with him, or concern himself about him, and sets him with the dogs of his flock, is a sinner, is guilty of a sin, is in the way to worse, and shall be dealt with as a sinner; unhappy is he.
  • 2. Those that look upon them with compassion are here said to be in a good condition, according to their character: He that has mercy on the poor, is ready to do all the good offices he can to him, and thereby puts an honour upon him, happy is he; he does that which is pleasing to God, which he himself will afterwards reflect upon with great satisfaction, for which the loins of the poor will bless him, and which will be abundantly recompensed in the resurrection of the just.

Pro 14:22

See here,

  • 1. How miserably mistaken those are that not only do evil, but devise it: Do they not err? Yes, certainly they do; every one knows it. They think that by sinning with craft and contrivance, and carrying on their intrigues with more plot and artifice than others, they shall make a better hand of their sins than others do, and come off better. But they are mistaken. God's justice cannot be out-witted. Those that devise evil against their neighbours greatly err, for it will certainly turn upon themselves and end in their own ruin, a fatal error!
  • 2. How wisely those consult their own interest that not only do good but devise it: Mercy and truth shall be to them, not a reward of debt (they will own that they merit nothing), but a reward of mercy, mere mercy, mercy according to the promise, mercy and truth, to which God is pleased to make himself a debtor. Those that are so liberal as to devise liberal things, that seek opportunities of doing good, and contrive how to make their charity most extensive and most acceptable to those that need it, by liberal things they shall stand, Isa. 32:8.

Pro 14:23

Note,

  • 1. Working, without talking, will make men rich: In all labour of the head, or of the hand, there is profit; it will turn to some good account or other. Industrious people are generally thriving people, and where there is something done there is something to be had. The stirring hand gets a penny. It is good therefore to keep in business, and to keep in action, and what our hand finds to do to do it with all our might.
  • 2. Talking, without working, will make men poor. Those that love to boast of their business and make a noise about it, and that waste their time in tittle-tattle, in telling and hearing new things, like the Athenians, and, under pretence of improving themselves by conversation, neglect the work of their place and day, they waste what they have, and the course they take tends to penury, and will end in it. It is true in the affairs of our souls; those that take pains in the service of God, that strive earnestly in prayer, will find profit in it. But if men's religion runs all out in talk and noise, and their praying is only the labour of the lips, they will be spiritually poor, and come to nothing.

Pro 14:24

Observe,

  • 1. If men be wise and good, riches make them so much the more honourable and useful: The crown of the wise is their riches; their riches make them to be so much the more respected, and give them the more authority and influence upon others. Those that have wealth, and wisdom to use it, will have a great opportunity of honouring God and doing good in the world. Wisdom is good without an inheritance, but better with it.
  • 2. If men be wicked and corrupt, their wealth will but the more expose them: The foolishness of fools, put them in what condition you will, is folly, and will show itself and shame them; if they have riches, they do mischief with them and are the more hardened in their foolish practices.

Pro 14:25

See here,

  • 1. How much praise is due to a faithful witness: He delivers the souls of the innocent, who are falsely accused, and their good names, which are as dear to them as their lives. A man of integrity will venture the displeasure of the greatest, to bring truth to light and rescue those who are injured by falsehood. A faithful minister, who truly witnesses for God against sin, is thereby instrumental to deliver souls from eternal death.
  • 2. How little regard is to be had to a false witness. He forges lies, and yet pours them out with the greatest assurance imaginable for the destruction of the innocent. It is therefore the interest of a nation by all means possible to detect and punish false-witness-bearing, yea, and lying in common conversation; for truth is the cement of society.

Pro 14:26-27

In these two verses we are invited and encouraged to live in the fear of God by the advantages which attend a religious life. The fear of the Lord is here put for all gracious principles, producing gracious practices.

  • 1. Where this reigns it produces a holy security and serenity of mind. There is in it a strong confidence; it enables a man still to hold fast both his purity and his peace, whatever happens, and gives him boldness before God and the world. I know that I shall be justified-None of these things move me; such is the language of this confidence.
  • 2. It entails a blessing upon posterity. The children of those that by faith make God their confidence shall be encouraged by the promise that God will be a God to believers and to their seed to flee to him as their refuge, and they shall find shelter in him. The children of religious parents often do the better for their parents' instructions and example and fare the better for their faith and prayers. "Our fathers trusted in thee, therefore we will.'
  • 3. It is an over-flowing ever-flowing spring of comfort and joy; it is a fountain of life, yielding constant pleasure and satisfaction to the soul, joys that are pure and fresh, are life to the soul, and quench its thirst, and can never be drawn dry; it is a well of living water, that is springing up to, and is the earnest of, eternal life.
  • 4. It is a sovereign antidote against sin and temptation. Those that have a true relish of the pleasures of serious godliness will not be allured by the baits of sin to swallow its hook; they know where to obtain better things than any it can pretend to offer, and therefore it is easy to them to depart from the snares of death and to keep their foot from being taken in them.

Pro 14:28

Here are two maxims in politics, which carry their own evidence with them:-

  • 1. That it is much for the honour of a king to have a populous kingdom; it is a sign that he rules well, since strangers are hereby invited to come and settle under his protection and his own subjects live comfortably; it is a sign that he and his kingdom are under the blessing of God, the effect of which is being fruitful and multiplying. It is his strength, and makes him considerable and formidable; happy is the king, the father of his country, who has his quiver full of arrows; he shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with his enemy in the gate, Ps. 127:4, 5. It is therefore the wisdom of princes, by a mild and gentle government, by encouraging trade and husbandry, and by making all easy under them, to promote the increase of their people. And let all that wish well to the kingdom of Christ, and to his honour, do what they can in their places that many may be added to his church.
  • 2. That when the people are lessened the prince is weakened: In the want of people is the leanness of the prince (so some read it); trade lies dead, the ground lies untilled, the army wants to be recruited, the navy to be manned, and all because there are not hands sufficient. See how much the honour and safety of kings depend upon their people, which is a reason why they should rule by love, and not with rigour. Princes are corrected by those judgments which abate the number of the people, as we find, 2 Sa. 24:13.

Pro 14:29

Note,

  • 1. Meekness is wisdom. He rightly understands himself, and his duty and interest, the infirmities of human nature, and the constitution of human society, who is slow to anger, and knows how to excuse the faults of others as well as his own, how to adjourn his resentments, and moderate them, so as by no provocation to be put out of the possession of his own soul. A mild patient man is really to be accounted an intelligent man, one that learns of Christ, who is Wisdom itself.
  • 2. Unbridled passion is folly proclaimed: He that is hasty of spirit, whose heart is tinder to every spark of provocation, that is all fire and tow, as we say, he thinks hereby to magnify himself and make those about stand in awe of him, whereas really he exalts his own folly; he makes it known, as that which is lifted up is visible to all, and he submits himself to it as to the government of one that is exalted.

Pro 14:30

The foregoing verse showed how much our reputation, this how much our health, depends on the good government of our passions and the preserving of the temper of the mind.

  • 1. A healing spirit, made up of love and meekness, a hearty, friendly, cheerful disposition, is the life of the flesh; it contributes to a good constitution of body; people grow fat with good humour.
  • 2. A fretful, envious, discontented spirit, is its own punishment; it consumes the flesh, preys upon the animal spirits, makes the countenance pale, and is the rottenness of the bones. Those that see the prosperity of others and are grieved, let them gnash with their teeth and melt away, Ps. 112:10.
    • Rumpatur, quisquis rumpitur invidia.
    • Whoever bursts for envy, let him burst.

Pro 14:31

God is here pleased to interest himself more than one would imagine in the treatment given to the poor.

  • 1. He reckons himself affronted in the injuries that are done them. Whosoever he be that wrongs a poor man, taking advantage against him because he is poor and cannot help himself, let him know that he puts an affront upon his Maker. God made him, and gave him his being, the same that is the author of our being; we have all one Father, one Maker; see how Job considered this, Job 31:15. God made him poor, and appointed him his lot, so that, if we deal hardly with any because they are poor, we reflect upon God as dealing hardly with them in laying them low, that they might be trampled upon.
  • 2. He reckons himself honoured in the kindnesses that are done them; he takes them as done to himself, and will show himself accordingly pleased with them. I was hungry, and you gave me meat. Those therefore that have any true honour for God will show it by compassion to the poor, whom he has undertaken in a special manner to protect and patronise.

Pro 14:32

Here is,

  • 1. The desperate condition of a wicked man when he goes out of the world: He is driven away in his wickedness. He cleaves so closely to the world that he cannot find in his heart to leave it, but is driven away out of it; his soul is required, is forced from him, And sin cleaves so closely to him that it is inseparable; it goes with him into another world; he is driven away in his wickedness, dies in his sins, under the guilt and power of them, unjustified, unsanctified. His wickedness is the storm in which he is hurried away, as chaff before the wind, chased out of the world.
  • 2. The comfortable condition of a godly man when he finishes his course: He has hope in his death of a happiness on the other side death, of better things in another world than ever he had in this. The righteous then have the grace of hope in them; though they have pain, and some dread of death, yet they have hope. They have before them the good hoped for, even the blessed hope which God, who cannot lie, has promised.

Pro 14:33

Observe,

  • 1. Modesty is the badge of wisdom. He that is truly wise hides his treasure, so as not to boast of it (Mt. 13:44), though he does not hide his talent, so as not to trade with it. His wisdom rests in his heart; he digests what he knows, and has it ready to him, but does not unseasonably talk of it and make a noise with it. The heart is the seat of the affections, and there wisdom must rest in the practical love of it, and not swim in the head.
  • 2. Openness and ostentation are a mark of folly. If fools have a little smattering of knowledge, they take all occasions, though very foreign, to produce it, and bring it in by head and shoulders. Or the folly that is in the midst of fools is made known by their forwardness to talk. Many a foolish man takes more pains to show his folly than a wise man thinks it worth his while to take to show his wisdom.

Pro 14:34

Note,

  • 1. Justice, reigning in a nation, puts an honour upon it. A righteous administration of the government, impartial equity between man and man, public countenance given to religion, the general practice and profession of virtue, the protecting and preserving of virtuous men, charity and compassion to strangers (alms are sometimes called righteousness), these exalt a nation; they uphold the throne, elevate the people's minds, and qualify a nation for the favour of God, which will make them high, as a holy nation, Deu. 26:19.
  • 2. Vice, reigning in a nation, puts disgrace upon it: Sin is a reproach to any city or kingdom, and renders them despicable among their neighbours. The people of Israel were often instances of both parts of this observation; they were great when they were good, but when they forsook God all about them insulted them and trampled on them. It is therefore the interest and duty of princes to use their power for the suppression of vice and support of virtue.

Pro 14:35

This shows that in a well-ordered court and government smiles and favours are dispensed among those that are employed in public trusts according to their merits; Solomon lets them know he will go by that rule,

  • 1. That those who behave themselves wisely shall be respected and preferred, whatever enemies they may have that seek to undermine them. No man's services shall be neglected to please a party or a favourite.
  • 2. That those who are selfish and false, who betray their country, oppress the poor, and sow discord, and thus cause shame, shall be displaced and banished the court, whatever friends they may make to speak for them.