Proverbs 14

Proverbs 14:3

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

The tongue of a fool is a scourge, whereby his own pride and over-weening is lashed; but the lips of the wise are a safe defence for himself.

Proverbs 14:4

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

Where there is no husbandry, or use of the ox, there needs no labour to make the crib clean; but that neatness is accompanied with want: as, contrarily, where the oxen are employed for tillage, the crib may be foul, but the barns shall be full.

Proverbs 14:8

But the folly of fools is deceit.

The wicked man, who is indeed no better than a fool, employs all that wit he hath, to deceive others. XIV. 9 Fools make a mock at sin; but among the righteous there is favour. The wicked fool makes himself merry with his sin, and scoffs

Proverbs 14:10

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

A man is best acquainted with his own secret sorrows; and knows where he is inwardly wrung, while the world thinks him happy: as, contrarily, he may have hidden occasions of joy, which cannot be judged of by the lookers on.

Proverbs 14:13

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

It is often seen, that, while the face counterfeits a smile, the heart is inwardly heavy and vexed; and, after a feigned and forced mirth, returns to the former grief.

Proverbs 14:14

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

A man, that is froward and perverse, and that willingly falls from his former good purposes, shall be sure to bear the punishment of his own wicked courses; and a good man shall reap the comfort of his holy carriage, and enjoy the conscience of his own integrity.

Proverbs 14:19

The evil bow before the good.

God will so bless and advance the righteous man, that the wicked and unconscionable shall be glad to crouch and bow before him.

Proverbs 14:23

But the talk of the lips tendeth only to poverty.

He, that spendeth his time in idle talk, and doth nothing, shall be sure to come to poverty.

Proverbs 14:24

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

A wise man, if he have riches, is much graced and adorned thereby; but a fool, though he have wealth, yet will be a fool still, and hath hereupon more occasion to manifest his folly.

Proverbs 14:26

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

He, that feareth the Lord, hath reason to be strongly confident in the favour and sure protection of the Almighty; and shall find God a like powerful refuge even to his posterity after him.

Proverbs 14:30

A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but, &c.

A heart, that is clearly free from envy and all vicious affections, is a comfortable preserver of the body; but, &c.