Proverbs 13

This chapter begins as the foregoing did, with an admonition about receiving instruction and reproof with due regard to them; especially from parents, who cannot be thought to intend any thing but the good of their children. And as he did there, so here again the wise man gives fresh advice about the government of the tongue, about diligence and industry: and hath several observations, not much different from what he made hefore, of the advantage which the righteous have of the wicked in a great many instances, which are easy to observe in the Paraphrase. -, And in the eighth verse he seems to me to teach [a] contentedness of mind; by shewing that tho poor have a great advantage of the rich in an evil time. Some, in^ deed, take the^sentence quite otherways, as if the wise man intended to represent the great advantage rich men have of the poor, in this sense: A rich mau, when he fears any evil from his enemies, can divert it by a sum of money: but a poor man, when he is threatened, daro not „ stay, but runs away: and others there arc who go a middlo way, and think he intends to shew, that each of them has his advantages of several kinds. But considering the opposition that is usual in this book, between one part of the verse and the other, this seems not to be the meaning: yet I have mentioned it, that they who do not take the opposition to lie as 1 have expressed itin the Paraphrase, may have their choice, and follow which senso they like best. As for that of Clemens Alexandrinus, lib. iii. Pcedagog. cap. 7. who thus glosses upon the former part of the verse, lav irXovry, jU6raSo<r« <t(>$>’/<terat, if a man be rich, he shall be saved by giving away to those in want; it doth not answer to the opposite part of tho verse, unless we should interpret it thus: As for the poor, they shall have no rebuke for not giving, be cause they have nothing to give. But I look upon this as not genuine; though his admonition upon this occasion be excellent, which is this: He that earnestly presses to go up to heaven must koAtjv ]3ciieri)pfai> ty\v Evepyeaiav irtpupipttv, carry about with hhn that good staff of beneficence; and by relieving those that are afflicted, partake * himself of true rest and refreshment. Which it is impossible to find anyway but in [6] virtuous courses, as the fifteenth verse suggests to us; the sense of which, according to the plain import of the Hebrew words, I have expressed in the Paraphrase. But as the last part of it sounds in our language, it will not be incongruous to take trie meaning of tho whole thus: — If a man have understanding enough to be thoroughly good, lie will find things favourable to his honest desires; but they that take evil courses meet with great difficulties, and are forced to go backward and forward, and wind and turn every way, to bring about their ends, or save themselves, perhaps, from ruin. \c\ There are several other notable sentences in this chap- * ter, upon which, if I should enlarge, it would be to write a book. The only two which Melancthon singled out for the observation of his scholars, are, the one of them in ver. 10. concerning pride. Upon which he remembers them of the Greek proverb, *Oqoq 6gu ov fiiywTat, a mountain cannot mix with a mountain; t. e. two high men will never agree together: and of another excellent saying among the Latins, * Crede mihi, sapere, est non multum sapere;" believe me, to be wise, is not to be over-wise. For they whose minds are infected with a vain opinion of * themselves, either cannot see the truth, if it be against their thoughts, or, if they do, they will not acknowledge it, for fear they should yield, and confess themselves overcome^ [d] The other is ver. 23. the latter part of which he renders differently from all that I have read. There is much food in the furroivs of the jwor; et alii sine modo cumulant, and others heap up without any measure; that is, to no purpose, when a little will suffice. Which is a wise saying, but not agreeable to the Hebrew text. I shall only add, that as the chapter begins with an admonition to hearken to reproof (especially from parents), which is repeated again in the middle, ver. 13. 18. so it concludes, [e] in the last verse but one, with an advice to parents not to spare the rod, if reproof will not do:. % which is but necessary in very young children; because there is no other means, perhaps, to make them understand the difference between good and evil, decent and unseemly; but only to make them smart for the one, and to give them some sensible pleasure for the other. Some children there are, arcso disposed, that they must be thus treated: and it seems a wonderful piece of wisdom in the old Lacedemonians (as Plutarch relates in his Laconical Institutes), that, out of an universal love and caro for each other’s good, made it lawful for any man lo correct the child of another person, if he saw him do amiss. And if the child complained of it to his father, it was looked upon as a fault in the father if he did not correct him again for making that complaint. Sucli was their confidence in each other, that every man being as much concerned for another man’s children as for his own, would never do them any injury, nor unreasonably check them without cause. For this is the character Plutarch gives of them; that they did not, as in other cities, “look every man only after his own children, servants, and cattle; but every man looked upon what was his neighbour’s as his own, o7Twc on juaA«rra koiviov^xjl koI ^povrf&exnv wc ISiW, that there might be, as much as was possible, a communion among them, and they might take care of what belonged to others, as if they were their own proper goods.” worth a farthing: and others, who are so cunning as to dissemble their vast estates under the garb of poverty.

Proverbs 13:1

joL WISE son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. A good child will reverently receive and obey both the instruction and reprehension of his father; but there is no hope of him that laughs and scoffs when he is admonished or chidden for his faults.

Proverbs 13:2

A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that speaks wdl of others, or gives them faithful counsel, shall reap the benefit thereof himself: and so shall they that perfidiously calumniate or deceive them, suffer themselves that injury w r hich they desired to do their neighbours.

Proverbs 13:3

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but M that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. It is worth a man’s pains to watch over his tongue; for he that carefully observes every w r ord he speaks, preserves himself from much trouble and danger: but he that blunts out every thing that comes into his head, not minding what he saith, is in the ready way to ruin.

Proverbs 13:4

the soul of the sluggarddesireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. There is nothing gotten by sloth, neither riches nor learning; which he in vain desires that will not labour for them: but the diligent and industrious shall never w r ant satisfaction, but enjoy, perhaps, a great deal more than he desired.

Proverbs 13:5

A righteous man hateth lying: but a ivicked man is loatJisome, and cometh to shame. A good man not only avoids, but hates, all manner of falsehood, both in word and deed: but the wicked delights to abuse others with such abominable lies and frauds, as make him no less loathsome than a stinking carcass; and so contemptible, that he dare not shew his face for shame.

Proverbs 13:6

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroivcth the si?iner. The justice of all honest and upright designs will be a sufficient security to them: but all wicked contrivances are overthrown by their own iniquity.

Proverbs 13:7

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great ricltes. You will be deceived, if you judge of men by the outward appearance; for there are those who have the vanity to make a great show in the world, when they arc not

Proverbs 13:8

T/ie ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. Rich men are not always so happy as they are imagined; for their wealth sometimes only serves to make them accused ofhigh crimes, and then to bring them off with a huge sum of money, which they pay to save their lives: but nobody is apt to find fault with the poor, or to bring any charge against them. See Arg. [a]

Proverbs 13:9

The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out J. The happiness of the just is grc N at and illustrious, like the light of the sun, and increases still to their endless joy r but the happiness of the wicked is weak and dim, like the light of a candle, and will at last be utterly extinguished.

Proverbs 13:10

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well-advised is wisdom. They that have a high conceit of themselves, and will yield to none, declare their folly, in that they can do nothing without strife and contention: but they that are so humble as to be advised by others, do all things prudently, in quietness and peace. See Arg. [c]

Proverbs 13:11

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Wealth illgotten (by lying, gaming, cheating, &c.) soon wastes away: but what is gotten by honest labour, swells to a greater heap, which moulders not, but still increases.

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. The delay of that which a man eagerly expects is such an affliction, that it differs little from a lingering disease: but when he enjoys what he hath long looked for, it restores him presently to his former vigour and liveliness.

Proverbs 13:13

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed A but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. He that despises the good admonitions or counsels thatare given him, is his own enemy, and destroys himself: but he that reverently submits to the Divine commandments, makes God his friend, who will reward him for it.

Proverbs 13:14

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. The instructions of a good man ought to be as a law to him that receives them; for, like the water of a perpetual spring, they are most beneficial; especially to preserve him from those pernicious and destructive principles whereby too many are ensnared.

Proverbs 13:15

Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. A prudent, pious, and regular behaviour, is most amiable and acceptable to all men: but the conversation of such as live by no law but their own lusts, like rough way, is grievously uneasy. See Arg. [6] Ver. 1G. Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.] All prudent persons are so cautious not to discredit themselves, that they undertake nothing but with due deliberation, and what they understand: but a fool discovers his weakness to be greater than was thought, by rash meddling with matters out of his reach.

Proverbs 13:17

A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. A messenger, or a minister, that wickedly betrays his trust, is so injurious to his prince, or him that employs him, that he shall not escape a just punishment: but he’that faithfullydischarges this offi’co (healing suppose, or preventing, differences and breaches) procures safety to himself, as well as to the person that used his service.

Proverbs 13:18

Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. He that proudly rejects instruction, and disdains to be checked in his lewd courses, is likely to be a beggar, and exposed to the public scorn: but he that is so humble as to give a due regard to reproof, and to correct hrs errors, not only gains a just esteem, but is likely to rise unto dignity and honour.

Proverbs 13:19

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. It is a high satisfaction to enjoy what we earnestly desire: but fools herein defeat themselves; being so wedded to their wickedness, that they will not quit it, if that must be the condition of their being so happy.

Proverbs 13:20

He that walketh with wise men shall be ivise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. He that keeps company with wise and good men is likely to be so himself; that is, to be happy: but he who associates himself with the wicked shall be as certainly ruined as he will be unavoidably infected with their wickedness.

Proverbs 13:21

Evil pur sue th sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid. The wickedness of sinners pursues them to their unavoidable destruction: and the good which righteous men do, will infallibly return into their own bosom, and reward them with many blessings.

Proverbs 13:22

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children; and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. A man that doeth good with his estate takes the surest course to settle it upon his posterity for many generations: but the wealth of him who regards nothing but his own sinful lusts and pleasures, shall be transferred from his family unto one that is truly virtuous.

Proverbs 13:23

Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. A poor man many times makes a plentiful provision for himself and his family, out of a few acres of land; which he manages judiciously and honestly: but there is a sort of men whose larger estates are wasted; either for want of skill to improve their ground, or because they do not pay the hireling his wages. See Arg. [d]

Proverbs 13:24

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Fond affection, which maketh a parent forbear to chastise his child for the faults that cannot otherwise be amended, is no better than hatred; for it helps to undo him: therefore he that truly loves his child must not be so indulgent; but as soon as ill inclinations begin to appear, while he is tender and flexible, give him early correction as well as admonition* before he has accustomed himself to the doing evil. See Arg. [e]

Proverbs 13:25

Tlie righteous ealeth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. A righteous man never wants satisfaction, because his desires are moderate/ and he lives in a temperate use of God’s blessings: but wicked men, some of them, bring themselves to extreme poverty by their luxury and riot; and others of them are indigent even in the midst of the greatest abundance; because their desires are insatiable, and’ they never think they have enough. 2 ° 2