Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:2

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

It is the great glory of God’s infinite wisdom, that he hath hidden mysteries, which our weak and ignorant capacity cannot reach unto; but as for these human affairs, they may be searched into: and it is the glory of kings to fathom them, even to the bottom; that so they may thereupon award just judgments upon all occasions. Or, it is the great praise of God’s mercy, that he hides and covers our manifold infirmities; but it is the honour of kings, to find out and punish offences.

Proverbs 25:3

The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

As the heaven is exceedingly high, and the earth exceedingly deep, beyond the reach of man; so is the heart of kings: the very place wherein they are, and the due managing thereof, calls them to great reservedness.

Proverbs 25:6

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king.

Make not too much ostentation of thy wit, or wealth, or bravery, in the presence of the king; as if thou wouldest offer to compare with thy superiors, under whose countenance thou must live; towards whom submissness of carriage would both better become thee, and more avail to thy good.

Proverbs 25:9

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another.

If there be a difference betwixt thy neighbour and thee, take him aside, and in a friendly manner argue the matter with him alone; and offer fair terms of peace and reconciliation; and discover not a secret unkindness to a third person, till thou seest no other way of atonement.

Proverbs 25:11

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

A seasonable and discreet speech is a most pleasing and precious thing; and no less delights the ear and the mind, than the most curious and costly embroidery, or pictures of gold and silver, doth the eye.

Proverbs 25:12

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

A docible and pliable ear accounts a loving and discreet reproof of his friend, more precious than the richest earring of gold, or whatsoever more curious and costly ornament.

Proverbs 25:13

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sends him.

The coolness of the snow or ice, wherewith the liquor is wont, in hot regions, to be tempered, doth not more refresh the thirsty traveller, in the heat of summer, than a faithful messenger doth refresh and content the heart of him that sends him.

Proverbs 25:14

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

He, that makes bountiful and deluding promises of great gifts, which will never be performed, is like a cloud, which makes shew of that rain, which it will not nor cannot yield.

Proverbs 25:16

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee.

Take but a meet and moderate measure of those thing, which are most pleasing and delightful to thy nature or appetite.

Proverbs 25:20

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.

He, that offers music to a man in deep heaviness, doth as unseasonably, as he, that takes off a coverlid in an extreme cold weather, from the bed; or as he, who, to preserve nitre, pours vinegar upon it, wherewith it is presently dissolved.

Proverbs 25:22

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.

For thus, thou shalt either win and overcome him with kindness, or, if he be stubbornly malicious, thou shalt aggravate his judgment; and if he continue unthankful to thee, yet that God, for whose sake thou dost good for evil, will be sure to retribute it graciously unto thee.

Proverbs 25:26

A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

Look how hateful a thing it is, to see a clear and pure fountain annoyed with mud and filth, so odious a sight it is, to see a just man oppressed and tyrannized over by a wicked one.

Proverbs 25:27

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to seek their own glory is not glory.

Honey is good, but to eat too much honey is not good: so, to have a care of our own reputation and honour, is good; but to seek our own glory and reputation too much, is shameful and justly odious.