Proverbs 12

God friakes them just and charitable, like a flourishing tree, shall thrive and prosper.; This chapter begins with an admonition, often inculcated in this book, concerning the affection wherewith a man, that would be wise and^ood, ought to receive charitable reproofs. 5’And there are several things also repeated, concerning the providence of.almighty God; in punishing men according to their wickedness, anddelivering good men from those Who Seek their destruction: which is notably expressed in three verses, one after. another, (ver. 5—7.^ where he observes how the wicked, labouring to compass their ends, by cozenage, or by violence, /jven by blood (especially if they can privately make a man away), notonly miscarry in their designs, but are unexpectedly overturned and subverted, out* of their places, Wherein they behave themselves with such injustice and cruelty.. 1: There are divers instructions, also, here repeated about several virtues and vices; especially those of the tongue. Among which Melancthon commends this to the remembrance of the reader, ver. 22. [«] lying lips are an abomination to the Lord; who recommends to us (says he) the lovt and care of truth; both in doctrines concerning himself, and in arts, and in all honest covenants and contracts. For truth being among the chiefest and most conspicuous virtues, therefore the contrary vice is condemned, by a terrible word, and called abomination, i. e. such an evil as God detests with a singular indignation (for idols are called [i^eXvyfxara, abominations, or abominable things), which is principally truo of such lies, as are on purpose invented to destroy men’s fame; and much more of such as are devised for the taking away their lives, and the ruin of their families: such’as those which David often complains Were contrived against him. . •; : " f.’~: — r.v The Lord; Bacon hath made notable remarks also upon another passage in this chapter, (ver. 10.) where he observes concerning the former [6] part of the verse, that " there is implanted in man’s nature a noble and excellent affection of pity and compassion, called here mercy: which extends itself even unto brute creatures, that are by Divine ordination subject to hid command. And therefore this compassion hath some analogy with that of a prince towards his subjects; nay/ farther, it is most certain, that the worthier. aiiy. soul is, the larger is its compassion. For contracted and degenerate minds’ imagine these * things, appertain not to them: but the mind, that looks -uponitself as a nobler portion of the universe, is kindly affected towards inferior creatures, out of the communion there is between them: wherefore we’ see that there were under the old law many precepts concerning this, which were not so much merely ceremonial, as institutions of mercy. As that of riot eating flesh withthe blood in it; and such-like." I suppose he. means those mentioned Exod, mmh 5. 19. Deut. v. 4. xxii. 6, 7. xxv. 4. For, as Grotius hath excellently observed, it 3s very laudable!to exercise kindness towards brute creatures, that we may keep, ourselves the more remote from all manner of cruelty" towards men. Which the angel, the Jews think, reproved in Balaam when he chid him for striking his ass three times. For thus they bring’ in the angel speaking to him, in the great commentary upon Numbers; If I am required to demand satisfaction “for the injury done thy ass,» concerning whom thejre is no law of justice, nor covenant of our fathers, how Wicl more for this, that thoii’go’est ab’otit: »tt?rty. to root out a whole nation? / >n! nl / -?®ft I omit what the satire Lord BaCon there-says (book viii. of the Adv. of Learning, chap. 2. parab. 14.) concerning tho ancient Essenes and Pythagoreans, and conc0ming some -people noxv in; the’‘Mogul’s country, and the’present Turks, whd are full of affection to brute creatures;; and only observe, lhat he looks upon the latter; part of the same verse, as a kind of caution added by the wise man; lest we should think he patronizes all sort of mercy and Compassion. " No, the mercy which spares wicked persons from being cut off by the. hand of justice, is, not mercy, but more cruel than cruelty itself. For cruelty is Exercised upon sirigle persons only: but this kind of mercy, by the grant of impunity, arms the whole band Of impious men against the innocent.” So, by the mevr cies of the tvicked, he understands mercy sheivn to the wicked: which is an unusual form. of speech, and disagreeing to the opposition which the wise man, in this proverbial saying, makes betvv’een the righteous and the wicked. And therefore, it is not to be embraced, nor to be looked upon as a true exposition: in which, though I - believe he followed Drusius, yet he hath very littlecompany besides. And the sense rather lies as I have ex- > pressed it in the Paraphrase: in which, if Xhave.added more than interpreters do, I am confident it wiHappcftr to him that considers not to be without reason. For, these words, the tender mercies of the tvicked are cruel> the fruit of it abundantly himself: and there is no good work he doth for the benefit of others, but God will requite it, and make it turn to his own good account.

Proverbs 12:15

Tfie way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but lie that hearkeneth unto counsel is «. A fool is so conceited that he consults nobody but himself; f for whatsoever he doth, in his own opinion he is always in the right: but a wise man will not rely upon his own judgment alone; but, suspecting himself, makes use of the sound advice of other men. ■,

Proverbs 12:16

AjooFs wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. A fool (like a beast) is no sooner provoked but he grows angry; and, which is worse, it appears immediately in his countenance, words, and actions: whereas a prudent man is not unseemly transported by his passion; but stifles his resentments, even of the most reproachful injuries that are done him.

Proverbs 12:17

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. He that freely and boldly speaks the truth, and all the truth, and nothing but the truth, demonstrates himself an honest man, and doth justice unto others: but he that conceals the truth or forges falsehoods, and testifies unto lies, declares himself both a deceitful and mischievous person.

Proverbs 12:18

Tliere is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. A cutthroat is not more pernicious than he; and they are not much better, whose business it is, by secret calumnies, to wound the reputation of their neighbours, or to make discords and divisions among them: which a good man uses all his skill to cure; persuading them to love, unity, and peace.

Proverbs 12:19

T7ie lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for ft moment. He that speaks the truth (being always conformable to himself) hath this advantage, that he can never be disproved, nor consequently discredited: but a liar, though he may at present be believed, is soon confuted; for he is apt to contradict himself, and blast his own reputation for ever.

Proverbs 12:20

Deceit is in the hea)rt of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. They do but deceivo themselves, who look for any satisfaction from dissensions and disturbances; which they cannot contrive without much fear and anxiety of mind: but, as they are always cheerful who consult nothing but peace, concord, and happy settlement, so they will have great joy, whatsoever the issue be, of such good designs.

Proverbs 12:21

Tliere shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. For the Divine providence takes a peculiar care of good men, to avert the harm that the iniquity of the wicked intends them: which shall fall upon themselves in such abundance, as to overwhelm them.

Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. It is thought no great matter if a man break his word, or any way deceive his neighbour; but know, that this is a thing exceeding hateful to the Divine Majesty: and, on the contrary, they that faithfully perform their promises, and in all things deal truly with their neighbours, are no less acceptable to him. See Arg. [a]

Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimelh foolishness. t\ prudent man convol. in. ceals his knowledge, and will not make a show of being so’ wise as really he is: but a fool publishes his ignorance, as if he was ambitious that’ every one should know, he is a fool.:..

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be tinder tribute. He that taketh pains in,an honest employment, shall take his ease at last; nay, raise himself to dominion and power; but he whose sloth makes him live by sharking and deceit, shall bring that toil upon himself which he would avoid, when his poverty and villany have reduced him to be a slave.

Proverbs 12:25

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good work maketh it glad. Anxious cares and splicitudc how to live depress the spirit of a man, otherwise magnanimous: but the kind and encouraging discourses of a friend (much more the gracious promises. of God) erect it, nay, make it glad… * - • _

Proverbs 12:26

Tlie righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way, of the wicked seduceth them. As in other things, so in this, a righteous man is more excellent than his neighbour, that he doth not delude himself with vain hopes; nor miss his end, as the wicked doth in all his designs..’.. \u

Proverbs 12:27

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. There is nothing more vile than a lazy fellow that lives by cheating; who, if he catch, shall not be able to keep his prey: but he is a valuable man, who by honest diligence getteth wealth, which shall durably remain with him..

Proverbs 12:28

In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. True goodness leads unto endless prosperity and happiness: nor is tliere any one action of virtue that tends to make a man miserable; as all manner of wickedness doth. i,.,,; >;.u

, He. that troubleth his oivn house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the tuise of heart. He that makes or cherishes dissensions and factions in his tmn family (or kingdom) may, by making a great bustle ^nd stir, seem to be a notable man; but will not only be deceived in his expectations, but defame his government, and bring his estate to nothing: nay, it is oftentimes seen that he whaiS t^us foolish loses all his authority, and becomes a servant to him who administers his affairs with a more prudent care. See Arg. [o]s f L\s w i.:»s * \

Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner. But who is there so good as to do, or to suffer, no evil? And if God do not let the just and charitable man (mark what I say), they who are so useful and beneficial to the world, go without correction; who can think that the wicked, who is good for nothing, but obstinately contemns and breaks all the laws of.God and man, shall escape the just punishment of his many crimes? See I Pet. iv. 18. and Arg. [d]

The fruit of the nghteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. The benefit the world receives from a just and charitable man is so great, that it maybe compared to the fruit of. the tree of life;which keeps mankind from being miserable: but he is the greatest benefactor of all, who communicates wisdom so charitably and seasonably, that he draws souls to the love of virtue. /. .’ *..