Proverbs 14

1. Every wise woman. Rather, “wisdom.” “The foolish” is in Heb. literally “folly.”

2. He that walketh, etc. True piety produces correct behaviour.

3 a rod of pride. His proud speeches bring their own punishment.

4. Where no oxen are, etc. Useful labour of every sort has its inconvenient and unpleasant side, but to forgo the work for this reason would be folly.

7. Go from the presence, etc. That is, Thou mayest go from the presence of such a person, “and thou hast not perceived lips of knowledge”; i.e., thou hast found that he hath none to give.

8 deceit. Aiming to deceive others, they are deceived themselves.

9. Fools make a mock at sin. Some render this, “Guilt mocketh fools” (R.V. marg.), deceiving and ruining them; but the verse is not very clear.

13 the end of that mirth. Rather, “of mirth itself.” Beneath apparent joy, grief may be concealed; and earthly joy surely ends in the grief of disappointment.

14. The backslider in heart. Or, “He whose heart is turned [from God].”

16 the fool rageth, and is confident. Or, “But the fool is haughty and confident.”

17 soon angry. The Septuagint reading gives better sense for the second part of the verse: “a prudent man will be patient” (Moffatt) or “a man of thought endures” (Hooke).

21 happy is he. Or, “Blessed be he”! This verse seems intended as a counterpart to the statement in ver. 20.

22. Do not they err? That is, “Do not they wander”? like drunken men, who miss their way and hurt themselves.

23. In all labour, etc. Working without talking may make men rich; but talking without working will make men poor.

24. The crown of the wise, etc. Better (with the Septuagint), “The crown of the wise is their wisdom; the chaplet of fools is their folly.”

25 delivereth souls. That is, persons endangered by false accusation. The second clause of the verse may be read as in R.V., “He that uttereth lies causeth deceit.”

26. In the multitude of people. This being commonly a mark of good government: see I Kings iv. 20.

29 exalteth folly. “The height of folly is to be quick-tempered” (Moffatt).

30. A sound heart. Either, “A healthy heart,” or, “A quiet heart.” Bodily health is greatly promoted by spiritual health—by the self-control, contentment, and peace which religion gives.

31 he that honoureth Him, etc. Rather, as R.V., “He that hath mercy on the needy honoureth Him.”

32 in his death. Better “in his integrity” (Septuagint).

33. But that which is in the midst of fools, etc. Rather, “But in the midst of fools it is made known.” The contrast seems to be between those who have a fund of unspoken wisdom, and those who utter all the little they have.

35 that causeth shame. Or, “that acteth disgracefully.”