Proverbs 14

Proverbs 14:1

BUldeth] They doe establish it in a firme and durable state, by diligence in gaining it, good government in preserving it, and distributing and principally by bringing up their Children and governing of their family well.

Proverbs 14:3

In the mouth] Fooles by their unruled and unbridled speeches doe presumptuously offend every mans reputation, without any respect, Job 5:21. Or vaine and ambitious men are scourged by the licentious speeches and judgments of fooles who speake the truth of them without any regard and so expose them to derision The lippes] That is to say their grave and wise speeches, doe save them from all calumniations, scornes, and scoffes of fooles.

Proverbs 14:6

A Scornen] The prophane man makes a shew oftentimes; as though hee were willing to purchase true divine and spirituall wisdome, through knowledge, instruction and other wayes, but the malice of his heart doth alwayes hinder the effect 2 Tim. 27 Is easie] Because hee hath the light of the understanding: and free motion of his own will.

Proverbs 14:7

The lippes] Namely the speeches of a wise and discreet man.

Proverbs 14:8

To understand] Namely strictly to examine all his actions: not to undertake any thing but justly and wisely to repent himselfe and amend any error that he hath committed; and strengthen himselfe in goodnesse, Psalme 119. 59 The folly] The errors which they commit doe proceed, from that they deceive themselves in their foolish judgement, which cannot rightly perceive the truth of things.

Proverbs 14:9

But among] Even as the wicked enjoy a false kinde of delight, and have a Conscience seared, and hardened in sinne: So just men doe enjoy a solid kind of gladnesse in their good life, finding Gods grace and approbation in their hearts.

Proverbs 14:10

The heart] Every one is inwardly the only true and faithfull judge of his joyes, and none else can truly perceive them.

Proverbs 14:13

In laughter] The Italian Too much laughter] As naturall laughter being beyond measure causeth paine in a mans body, by reason of the too much dilatation and extension of the Organs. So for the most part it is seene, worldly joyes end in sorrow.

Proverbs 14:14

From himselfe] The Italian More than he] That is to say, sinnes are punished according to the greatnesse of the fact: But the reward of righteous mens workes is given them beyond measure or proportion, through the superabounding grace of God.

Proverbs 14:16

From evill] That is to say from sinne, or from the danger of some mischance, to which evill a timorous circumspectnesse may bee a remedy Rageth] The Italian Rangeth] Hee is carried by his cupiditie, rash will, and blinde passion; without marking or observing the end, and issue of things.

Proverbs 14:17

He that is] The meaning is that there are two evills to bee eschewed in a mans wrath; the one is sudden violence which goeth beyond its bounds in committing of excesse. The other is close dissimulation, which watcheth its opportunitie for revenge, the first maketh a man contemptible, the second abominable, The true remedy is to smother up this fire and give it no vent nor issue, and not to nourish or atch it up too long. See Proverbs 10:18.

Proverbs 14:18

Folly] That is to say the just reward of it Crowned] They shall obtaine honour and glory, by meanes of their wisdome.

Proverbs 14:19

At the gates] For to intreate and begge.

Proverbs 14:22

Doe they not erre] That is to say they stray out of the direct way of life: wherereby they cannot chuse but perish unhappily Shall be] From the LORD.

Proverbs 14:23

In all] With actions and deeds a man gathereth goods, not with words.

Proverbs 14:24

Their riches] They doe adorne vertue, and are an honour to it, but they cannot alter folly and disguise it, but that it will bee and seeme to bee what it is.

Proverbs 14:25

Soules] Namely such people as have beene sldndered and wrongfully accused.

Proverbs 14:26

Confidence] It is a sure desence for the soule, against all assaults and dangers.

Proverbs 14:29

Exalteth] The Italian Exciteth] It causeth this franticke passion to burst out in some grievous excesse.

Proverbs 14:30

A sound heart] The Soule disburthened of passions and perturbations, helpeth the strength and well being of the body much.

Proverbs 14:31

Reproacheth] In not regarding that the poore man is Gods Creature, and that he beareth his image and that he is through Gods providence in that poore estate, he doth offend God himselfe. See Job 31:15.

Proverbs 14:32

In his death] For he dieth in Gods grace and in an assured confidence of the salvation of his soule and of the Glorious Resurrection of his body.

Proverbs 14:33

In the middest] When it is in any one, it steweth and maketh it selfe manifest, even amongst a company of fooles, whose folly causeth the understanding mans wisedome to appeare so much the more.

Proverbs 14:35

That causeth] Namely to the office which he beareth, and to the Princes choice, shewing himselfe unworthy of h honour he hath done him in so employing him, See Isay 22. 18.