Proverbs 18

1. Through desire, a man, etc. The verse may better be rendered, “A man separating himself for his desire, seeketh it; with all counsel he quarrelleth”; i.e., the man who selfishly pursues his own desires and interests, acts at variance with the best advice: cp. R.V.

2. But that his heart may discover itself. Or, “But rather [hath delight] in his heart revealing itself.” His vanity leads him to self-display.

3. When the wicked cometh, etc. Wickedness is followed by contempt, baseness by shame: see xi. 2.

4. The words of a man’s mouth, etc. Men’s words are often obscure, but true wisdom is clear and bright.

8 as wounds. This may be rendered either, “like dainty morsels” (R.V.); meaning that slanderous whispers are dangerous, because they are eagerly listened to.

9 a great waster. Or, “squanderer.” Laziness and waste are brothers; and both lead to ruin.

10 is safe. Heb., “is set on high,” beyond his enemies’ reach.

11 his strong city. This verse derives additional force from contrast with the foregoing. The righteous man wisely makes God his refuge and trust: the rich man looks for safety to his wealth.

12 before honour. To be humble is the way to honour. R.V., “before honour goeth humility”: see xv. 33.

14 will sustain his infirmity. That is, of body. The best comment on this verse is that of Cowper: “No woes like those a wounded spirit feels;

No cure for such till God, who makes them, heals.”

15. The heart getteth . . . the ear . . . seeketh. By the inlet of the senses is perception; by the reflection of the heart (the mind) this becomes, in the true sense, knowledge.

16. A man’s gift, etc. See xvii. 8, 23, and notes; and Gen. xxxii. 20.

17. He that is first in his own cause, etc. A warning against ex parte decisions. He who states his case first seems right; but the other party will test his assertions and arguments.

19. A brother offended [is harder to be won], etc. Or, simply, “A brother is more obstinate than a strong city.” Family quarrels are hard to appease. There are, however, other renderings of the text, which is by no means clear.

20 the fruit of his mouth. His words. So in the next clause: “the increase of his lips.” These will be food (or poison) to his life; cp. Matt. xv. 11.

21 they that love it. They who indulge and give it license: cp. vers. 20, 21 with Matt. xv. 11.

22. Whoso findeth a wife. There is no reference here (as there is in xix. 14) to a wife’s goodness. It seems, therefore, that this passage speaks of the marriage relation, in itself considered, as an ordinance and blessing of the Lord: see Gen. ii. 18, etc., and note.

24. A man [that hath] friends, etc. Rather, “A man of [many] associates will ruin himself”; “He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction,” R.V. But there is a true and valuable friendship; and its bonds are closer than those of the nearest relationship.