Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10:3

3. — he casteth away the substance of the wicked.] He dissipates or destroys the estate, the possessions of the wicked. Dr. Hammond.

Proverbs 10:4

4. — that dealeth with a slack hand.] That dealeth or worketh with a lazy hand. Dr. Wells.

Proverbs 10:6

6. — violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.] Their own wickedness shall violently overwhelm, to their utter confusion, those who wickedly defraud and oppress their neighbour. Bp. Patrick.

Proverbs 10:8

8. The wise in heart will receive &c.] It is the part of wisdom to open the ear and heart to all good advice, especially to the commandments of God; whereas they who keep no guard on their tongues, frequently discover things which bring ruin and mischief on themselves. Dr. Hammond.

Proverbs 10:9

9. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.] “To walk surely,” is to be in safe condition, to be out of danger of falling into any extreme calamity, and to have our main interest so secured, that, notwithstanding whatever may happen for a time, yet our chief and great design shall certainly succeed happily in the end. The sum therefore of Solomon’s assertion is this: He that in the whole course of his life acts sincerely and justly, with a continual respect to the reason of things and the law of God, that carries on his undertakings by fair and equitable means, avoiding all fraud and deceit, all base and unworthy practice; this man takes the wisest and surest course to succeed in all his designs, respecting either his present, or his future happiness. Dr. S. Clarke.

Proverbs 10:10

10. He that winketh with the eye &c.] The double dealing and dissembling person causes much sorrow at the last, both to himself and to those who have been deceived by him. Bp. Hall.

Proverbs 10:11

11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life.] The discourse of a good man, like a perpetual spring of wholesome water, always tends to the profit, comfort, and refreshment of those who receive it. Bp. Patrick.

Proverbs 10:12

12. — love covereth all sins.] Love induces men to cover or overlook several great offences. Dr. Wells. See James v. 20.

Proverbs 10:14

14. — the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.] The fool is always talking, and seldom opens his mouth but Before CHRIST about 1000. e Ver 11. f Ps. 112. 6. fear of lips. beaten. g Ps. 23. 4. h Chap 6. 13. ; Or, shall be beaten. i Chap. 13. 14. k 1 Pet. 4. 8. l Cor. 12. 4. Moral virtues, and their contrary vices. Before CHRIST about 1000. Chap. 16. 11. Or. causeth to err. Heb. of heart. in Chap. 11. 9. in Chap. 9.11. Heb. add-th. it proves a present mischief to himself or to others. Bp. Patrick.

Proverbs 10:15

15. The rich man’s wealth &c.] Riches, being a powerful defence to their owners against numerous evils, naturally raise men’s minds, and make them confident; whereas poverty exposes men to injuries and abuses, and is apt to depress and deject their spirits. Bp. Patrick.

Proverbs 10:19

19. In the multitude of words &c.] There are so many ways of offending God or man, by profanations, falseholds, slanders, &c. that there cannot be a more necessary part of moral wisdom, or wherein the exercise of true piety is more concerned, than the art of restraining the tongue, and keeping it within proper bounds, as to all such matters. Dr. Hammond. 24. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him. The evil which the wicked fears shall come upon him.

Proverbs 10:26

26. As vinegar to the teeth, &c.] Vinegar is not more offensive to the teeth, nor smoke more vexatious to the eyes, than a remiss and negligent servant is to him that employs him, and relies on him in a weighty business. Bp. Patrick.

Proverbs 10:27

27. — the years of the wicked shall be shortened.] See note at Prov. iii. 2. This truth here announced is confirmed by the nature

Proverbs 10:31

31. — the froward tongue shall be cut out.] That is, he that does mischief with his tongue shall be duly punished. Dr. Wells.

Proverbs 10:32

32. — know what is acceptable.] What is pleasing to God and edifying to man. See Eph. iv. 29, and v. 3, 4. Dr. Isham. Chap. XI. ver. 2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame.] Pride makes men foolish, and void of caution, and this puts them upon doing things which bring them to dishonour. Dr. S. Clarke. Before CHRIST about 1000. o Job 8. 13. & 11. 20. Ps. 112. 10. p Ps. 125. 1. & 37. 22. frowardnesses. a Lev. 19. 26. Deut. 25. 15. chap. 16. 11. & 20. 10. 22. balances of decre. perfect stone. b Chap. 16. 16. & 15. 33. & 13. 12. c Chap. 13. 6. d Chap. 10. 2. Ezek. 7. 19. Zeph. 1. 18. rectify.