Proverbs 14

[a. As the foregoing chapter began with a description of a towardly child, so this with the character of a good mother of a family: who by her.prudent care makes it flourish; when a lewd woman throws the house (as we say) out of the windows: for so the wise man observes: She pulls down the house tvith her own hands; that is, ruins the family without any other help. There needs no more than a bad wife to ttndo a family. [6] A little after this (ver. 4.) there follows an admonition: for the man without doors, as here for the woman within; that he do not neglect his husbandry. Of which oxen, every one knows, were the principal instruments: being not only employed in that country (as they are here) in ploughing the ground, and carrying home the crop, but [ also in treading out the corn. The strength also of the ox (which is here mentioned) is celebrated in all authors: and thence hulls are called abbarim, i. e. robust, among the Hebrews, who were very careful about the breeding of these most profitable creatures. It is not my business to inquire after the difference between alaphim and sor (which we render here, in this verse, by the same English word), but certain it is, they are used promiscuously for cither sex; and the latter without any respect to age: * though most commonly it signifies one grown to maturity, which we call an ox. [c] Upon the next verse but one, (ver. 6.) the LordBacon € (in his seventh book of the Adv. of Learning, chap. 2.) hath made this useful gloss: " He that comes to seek after knowledge, with a mind to scorn and censure, shall be sure to find matter enough for his humour, but none for his instruction." One reason of which is, that this humour of deriding all things, springs from a great pride and conceit of their own wit, which disposes them to [ seek for wisdom, not from others, but wholly from themselves: and so (as the wise man observes) they are not likely to find it where it is not to be had. When he that f attributes less to himself, and hath the humility to listen * to instruction, in a short time attains great wisdom. I cannot wholly omit the opinion of Jansenius; who thinks the wise man means, that he who hath accustomed himself to laugh at all wholesome counsel, and in some strait’ or other begins to think what is best to do, commonly \ finds himself at such a loss, that he cannot see his way ] out of it. And it may be applied to those also, who having mocked at religion all their days, at last desire to understand it; but cannot, through their own inveterate indisposition to it. [fZ] In the next verse I have joined these two senses together, which it may have according to the different acceptation of the word minneged, signifying either before, or from before, [e] The next, (ver. 8.) I take to be that, which the Lord • Bacon, minding the sense rather than the words, thus translates, (Advancement of Learning, book viii. chap. 2. parab. 30.) " Prudens advertit ad gressus suos, stultus divertit ad dolos." Which his English translator (who refers this to Prov. xxvii. 12. which is quite to another purpose) reads thus, A wise man is weary of his way, a PARAPHRASE ON [chap. xiv. canning fool seeks evasions. Upon which that lord thus descants: “There be two sorts of wisdom; tho one true and sound, tho other counterfeit and false: which last ^Solomon doubts not to call folly. He that applies himself to the former, takes heed to his own ways and footings, foreseeing dangers, studying remedies, using the assistance of good men, and fortifying himself against the wicked: wary how he enters upon a business; and not unprepared for a retreat, and how he may come off handsomely; attend upon advantages, courageous against impediments, with innumerable other things that relate to tho government of his own ways and actions.. But that other kind of wisdom is made up altogether of fallacies and cunning devices; and relies wholly upon the hopes of circumventing others, and framing them as he list himself. This wisdom the parable rejects not only as wicked, but as foolish. For, first, it is not in the number of things which are in our own power, nor is it directed by any constant rule; but new stratagems must be every day devised, the old failing and growing useless. And, secondly, as soon as ever a man hath got the name, and the opinion of a cunning, crafty companion, he hath deprived himself utterly of the principal instrument for tho management of his affairs, which is trust: and so he will find by experience all things to go cross to his desires. For, lastly, these arts and shifts, however they promise fair, and much please such as practise, them,. yet they are commonly frustrated, and, which is worse, end sadly.” Which Tacitus hath well observed in these remarkable words: " Cpnsilia callida et audacia, expectatione laeta, tractatu dura, eventu tristia: M Crafty and audacious counsels are joyful in the expectation, difficult in the management, and sad in the event, [f] There is the same difficulty in tho ninth verse’ that was in the seventh: for the word jaliz is translated by some mock, by others excuse: and so (besides what I have comprehended in my Paraphrase) there may be this sense of the words: Fools endeavour to make handsome apologies for their fault, and to find out colourablo excuses; but upright men freely confess them, and easily grant a pardon for them, and make up the difference which they raise in a friendly manner. Or if we retain the acception of mocking, this may be the sense of the verse: Fools laugh and jeer at those who have committed a sin; but good men pity them, and by kind reproofs seek their amendment. I know not how otherwise to make out the opposition, which is usual between one part of the verso and the other, unless we choose to take it thus: That when fools offend God in the highest manner, they make nothing of it; but if good men in the. least offend, they presently beg his pardon, and seek his graco and favour. The former part of the sentence also maybe inverted, and make this plain obvious sense; which is as natural as any: Sin will expose those to scorn, who are so foolish as to commit it: and then the latter part is as plain: But the upright will have favour both with God and man. A good.admonition to them that. make a mock of sin; which will in time make a mock of them, and expose them as ridiculous fools. [g] Some take the next (ver. 10.) to be an admonition to a prudent man, that he should conceal both his grief and his joy; and keep tliem to himself. But it is rather an. * advice to every one, not to censure too heavily the passions of grief or of joy in others, because the causes of them may be unknown to us. Or we may look upon the former part of the verse, as an admonition to. those that are at ease, not to censure too severely the complaints of those that are in pain or trouble; and the latter part as an admonition to such as are delivered from trouble, to be more thankful than any one can exhort them to be, because they best know what reason they have for it. [h] The next verse but one (ver. 12.) is the only sentence which Melancthon points out to his scholars, as. most remarkable in this chapter. Which he takes to be an admonition of the weakness of men’s judgment, and all human counsels: which mistake lamentably, and lead men frequently into ruin. According to that saying of Simonides, to Sokuv j3ta£ercu rrjv aX/j&iav, Shows and seeming appearances do violence to truth, or Truth is forced to give way to the mere show of it: and that other, 7roXXaKt rrjv fj.6pj>riv l%aTraT<l!><i l$lai, Shadows too oft cheat us of the reality. Against which there is no remedy but the word of God, and invoking his direction: according to such sayings as these, Thy word is a light to my feet, &c. Commit thy way unto the Lord, and trust in him, and he will bring it to pass. This shall be your wisdom, to walk in my precepts, (Deut. ivO [i] And as some are deceived by their own counsels, so others by the counsel of flatterers; if they be so simple as to believe everyone that pretends to kindness, (ver. 15.) Where Bochartus notes very appositely, that “as pru-. denee without simplicity degenerates into craft; so simplicity without prudence is no better than mere fatuity.” [Xr] In like manner the wise man observes, (ver. 23.) that talking without doingis vain, and to no purpose; but only to be a cover perhaps for idleness. As the Lord Bacon (Advane. of Learning, book viii. chap. 11. parab. 28.) glosses upon that verse in these words: " Solomon here separates the fruit of the labour of the tongue and of the labour of the hands, as if want was the revenue of. the one, and wealth the revenue of the other. For it cora-, monly comes to pass, that they, who talk liberally, boast much, and promise mighty matters, are beggars; and receive no benefit by their bags, or by any thing they discourse of. Nay, rather for the most part such men are not industrious and diligent in their employment; but only feed and fill themselves with words, as with - wind. Certainly, as the poet says, Qui silet, est ftrmus. He that is conscious to himself of proficiency in his endeavours, contents himself with inward applause in his own breast and holds his peace: but he who knows within himself that he only hunts after vain-glory, and - hath nothing else to live upon, talks abundantly, and reports wonders unto others." There are several other remarkable things in the rest of the chapter; but this preface is already so long, that I shall only touch upon one, (ver. 34.) [fj Where they seem to me to have translated the Hebrew most exactly, who take the word chesed, in the ordinary sense of it, for mercy or clemency; not for reproach, \ which it never signifies, unless, perhaps, once, (Lev. xx.. 17.) of which’ there may be a just doubt made. As for the chattaah, nobody doubts but it signifies a sin-offering, as well as sin; yet with respect to our translation, I have endeavoured to express both senses of those two words in my Paraphrase. care not what injury they do their neighbours, and when they have done, laugh at those that talk to them of making satisfaction: but among men exactly virtuous, there is nothing but good-will, which makes them live without ofl’once, or presently reconcile themselves to those they have offended. See Arg. [f]

Proverbs 14:1

JbjVERYwise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with Jier hands. He hath a great treasure, whosoever he be, that hath a wise and virtuous wife; for she alone, by her diligence and prudent administration, is able to raise her family, and increase its riches and reputation: but she that is foolish, and void of goodness, by her negligence, ill management, and.luxury, without any other assistance, will lay it low, and waste all that hath been gotten by her predecessors’ care. See Arg. [a].

Proverbs 14:2

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. He that sincerely discharges his duty in all the actions of his life, hath a due regard and reverence to the Lord; from which all virtue flows: but he that cares not what he doth, so he doth but satisfy his own lusts and passions, lives in a profane contempt of his “majesty; which is the very fountain of all wickedness.

Proverbs 14:3

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. A fool is so insolent that he boldly calumniates and wounds the reputation of others, though it comes home at last, with a terrible backblow, upon himself; but wise men are careful of theirwords, not to offend, much less abuse, the meanest person; and thereby they remain in safety.

Proverbs 14:4

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much in-. crease is by the strength of the ox. If the fields lie fallow and be neglected, a famine must needs follow: but good husbandry bestowed upon them makes great plenty. See Arg. [6]

Proverbs 14:5

A faithful witness willnot lie: but a false witness will utter lies. A person of integrity will not be prevailed withal, either for fear or favour, to justify the least untruth: but a man of no conscience, who hath accustomed himself to lying, cares not how many falsehoods he testifies; which he utters without any difficulty.. % Ver. G. A scorner seeketh wisdom, andfindcth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that under standeth.] He thatscoffs and jeers at every thing he reads or hears, would be thought wise; but loses all his pains, which perhaps he takes to be so: when a serious person, who doth not think himself too wise to learn, easily and quickly attains the knowledge of things necessary and useful for him. See Arg. [c]

Proverbs 14:7

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. Observe a fool (and a wicked man is no better) as diligently as thou, pleasest, and thou shalt never learn any good from him;: and therefore it is best to flee the company of such persons, whose discourse thou perceivest tends to nothing but vice and mischief. See Arg. [d]

Proverbs 14:8

Hie wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. The greatest cunning and subtilty that a truly wise and good man studies, is to understand what he ought to do, and what to avoid, uponall occasions: but all the skill of wicked men, such is their folly, lies in cheating tricks, and in devising arts of cireum-* yention and deceit. See Arg. [e]'

Proverbs 14:9

jPoofe make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. Lewd men, as if it were but a sport,

Proverbs 14:10

The heart knoiveth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. Nobody can know what another suffers, so well as he himself: and he alone is privy to the greatness of that joy which springs from the happy conclusion of his sufferings. See Arg. [g] “Ver. 11. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown:. but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.’] Men of sincere integrity are happier in a mean cottage, than the wicked are in their palaces: for, when the great and potent families of those wicked men are overturned, the despicable family of the sincerely pious shall flourish. and grow illustrious.

Proverbs 14:12

TJiere is a ivay which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof arc the ways of death. Examine every thing strictly and impartially, and be not led merely by thy appetite; for that makes many actions seem innocent, which, in the issue, prove deadly destructive. See Arg. [h]

Proverbs 14:13

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. Do not think that every one that laughs is merry, or that profuse and immoderate joy is true pleasure; for.it leaves the heart more heavyand. sad afterward, especially when the mind reflects upon it: nay, such is the vanity of this present life, there is no joy without a mixture of sorrow; which ofttimes treads so close upon its heels, that it immediately follows.

Proverbs 14:14

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. He that, to avoid a danger, revolts from those virtuous courses, unto which he knows he ought to have adhered, shall bring upon himself misery enough, by his own devices: but a truly good man is, even in this, far superior to him, that though he should suffer, his own integrity, and the clearness and quietness of his conscience, give him abundant satisfaction.

Proverbs 14:15

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man lookethwell to his going. It is a mark of great silliness to be credulous; that is, to take all those for friends who make profession of it, and easily to follow every one’s advice: for a prudent man is suspicious, and proceeds cautiously; examining before he trusts, and considering well, before he does as he is advised. See Arg. [i]

Proverbs 14:16

A wise wian feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. A wise man being admonished of his error, and of his danger, is afraid of incurring the Divine displeasure; and instantly starts back from that evil way, into which he was entering, or wherein he was engaged: but a fool storms at those that would stop him in his course, and proceeds boldly and securely to his own ruin.

Proverbs 14:17

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly; and a man of wicked devices is hated. He whoso anger is presently kindled, and breaks out when ho is offended/may do such things, w T hen the fit is upon him, as none but a fool would be guilty of; but he is nothing so. bad as him, who, suppressing his wrath, lets it boil in his breast, and deliberately contrives how to take a cruel revenge:. for most men are inclined to pity the weakness of him that is hasty, but this man’s wickedness is odious and execrablo unto all.

Proverbs 14:18

Tlie simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Inconsiderate men will never leave their folly, till they feel the woful effects of it: but they who are cautious, and advised, will heartily embrace all the means of instruction, and^endeavour to arrive at the perfection of knowledge; which will prove a singular ornament and glory to them.

Proverbs 14:19

The evil bow before the good; and the ivicked at the gates of the righteous. Evil-doers had best not be insolent in their prosperity; for they may not only be brought low, but have been seen to humble themselves before the face of thosegood men, whom they had oppressed; themost impious of them, that stuck at nothing which would support them in their wickedness, have been forced to wait as humble supplicants at the gate of that just man (whom theydespised and abused), and implore his favour and relief.

Proverbs 14:20

Tliepoor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. There js little sincere kindness left in the world; for if a nan fall into poverty, his near neighbour, nay, even he that professed friendship to him before, not only forsakes him, but hates his company; but if a man grow very rich (let it be by what means it will) there are many that before took no notice of him, who will pretend to love him; nay, the greatest persons offer him their favour.

Proverbs 14:21

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. But let such men know that it is a greater sin than they imagine, and shall be! severely punished, to overlook their poor neighbour, and deny him their charitable relief: which whosoever compassionately affords him, not only doth a good deed, but shall be amply rewarded for it.

Proverbs 14:22

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise gjood.jNeed I tell you (when it is so known a truth) that they miss their end, and do but contrive their own ruin, who carry on mischievous designs against the innocent: but they that take the same pains to study how to do men good, shall never fail of that bountiful reward, which is secured to them by the faithful promise of God.

Proverbs 14:23

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the Upstendeth only to penury. If a man take pains in any honest employment, though never so mean, it will bring him in someprofit: but to spend one’s time in talking only, and perhaps boasting what he can do, tends to nothing but to make. a man a beggar. See Arg.[£]

Proverbs 14:24

The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. Riches are a singular advantage and ornament to a wise and virtuous man, who knows how to use them: but such is the folly of wicked men, that their wealth makes them the more vile, and only gives them the greater means to shew what senseless fools they are.

Proverbs 14:25

A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies:. An upright man will not fear to endanger himself in justifying the truth, to save the lives of those that arc falsely accused: but false and deceitful men boldly pour out lies and calumnies, though thereby they destroy the innocent* J

Proverbs 14:26

In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge. A religious care’ to please the Lord in all things, gives a man the firmest resolution, and the strongest confidence of security and protection in all dangers: and his children after him may flee.to God for safety, and hope to fare the better for their pious father’s sake..

Proverbs 14:27

The fear of the Lord is a fountain, of life, to depart from the snares of death. There is nothing makes a man live so comfortably and happily, as this religious care to avoid every thing offensive to his majesty; which, like a perpetual spring, gives endless satisfaction; and diverts a man from those dangerous ways, wherein others are entangled to their utter destruction.

Proverbs 14:28

In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. The honour and splendour of a king, depend upon the multitude, wealth, and strength, of his, subjects; whom, therefore, he ought to cherish: for if they be wasted by unnecessary wars, or forced into other countries by oppression and unjust exactions, it proves the ruin of his kingdom.

Proverbs 14:29

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. He declares himself to be a great man, and to abound with prudence, who is not soon provoked to anger by reproaches or ill usage: by which, if a man be hastily inflamed, he exposes his folly, and makes it apparent to every body. Vpr. 30. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but’envy the rottenness of the bones.] There is nothing conduces more to health and happiness, than a quiet, gentle, and contented mind; but envy, and such-like fretful passions, is as miserable a torment and consuming disease as rottenness in the bones..;

Proverbs 14:31

He that oppresseth the poor, reproacheth. his Maker: he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. He that defrauds or. oppresses the poor, forgets God, who can reduce, him to the same condition; nay, affronts his majesty, who hath promised to be the defender of such helpless people: therefore whosoever hath any respect to God, will be so far from injuring, that he will shew mercy, and do good to him that is needy.

Proverbs 14:32

Tlie wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. When a wicked man falls into calamity, hisheart fails him, and he is driven away from all his confidants, like the chaff before the wind, by the consciousness of his own wickedness; but a righteous man is not dismayed in the greatest dangers; but remains steady and confident, even in death itself..

Proverbs 14:33

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. A prudent person makes no unseasonable demonstration of his wisdom; but lets it lie quiet in his own mind, till there be a fitting opportunity to do good with it; whereas fools cannot contain themselves, but presently vent whatsoever they know, though never so small, in every company whercinto they come.,..:

Proverbs 14:34

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Justice and piety raise a nation to the highest degree of prosperity and glory, especially when mercy, humanity, and kindness, even unto strangers and enemies, are. joined with them; which pacifies the Divine anger, and turns away many calamities; which the contrary sins bring down upon a people, till they make them vile and miserable. See Arg. [I]

Proverbs 14:35

Tlie king’s favour is towards a wise servant: btit his wrath is against him that causeth shame. A prudent and dexterous minister of state, who understands his business, and is faithful in it; must needs be very acceptable to his prince: whose anger nothing more provokes, than one who regards not his master’s honour, but, by his ill management,, disgraces his government, and brings all things into confusion.