Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20:1

Immoderate drinking of wine or other intoxicating liquors exposes men to the jest and detestation of others; it makes themselves abusive and scurrilous, mocking even at sacred things, and renders them like fools, sots, or madmen, furious, tumultuous, and quarrelsome: while it seems to exhilarate the spirits, it deceitfully drowns both reason and conscience, and tends to the ruin of both soul and body

Proverbs 20:2

The just wrath of a king is terrible; and they that offend him, by exasperating language or behaviour, expose themselves to temporal and eternal ruin

Proverbs 20:3

It is honourable to avoid contention to the utmost, and to get out of it as quickly as possible, by confessing our own faults, and forgiving those of our neighbours: but foolish and wicked persons are always ready to begin or maintain quarrels

Proverbs 20:4

Such as, through indolence and self-indulgence, neglect their business in its proper season, may expect beggary and misery; while they who are diligent enjoy abundant felicity

Proverbs 20:5

Some men, through their reservedness of temper, and others through deep design, conceal their intentions: but persons of great sagacity will discover them, or even by their artful insinuations, make themselves to declare them

Proverbs 20:6

Most men will boast how friendly, humane, charitable, and generous, they are: but it is hard to find one answerable in deeds to his trust, his relation, his promises or pretences

Proverbs 20:7

Justified and gracious persons by their practice manifest the sincerity of their heart and profession; and their children are blessed of God and regarded by men on their account

Proverbs 20:8

A king, who makes it his business to execute judgment and justice faithfully, effectually suppresses crimes and impieties by his strict inspection of affairs

Proverbs 20:9

No man on earth is perfectly free from sin in heart or life, nor can he make himself so

Proverbs 20:10

To 9 buy with larger weights or measures, and sell with lesser ones, and all other injustice, is extremely detestable to God

Proverbs 20:11

Men’s continued practice is the surest mark of their disposition, and by that the future conversation of young persons may be guessed at; and yet they, even children, often strangely conceal their vices

Proverbs 20:12

All our natural faculties and senses, and the right use of them, are from God, and therefore ought to be employed for his glory

Proverbs 20:13

Immoderate sleep, or other slothfulness, wastes our time, and draws on poverty and want: but watchful care, and diligent labours, are the means of obtaining every thing necessary

Proverbs 20:14

Some, while they buy goods, will dishonestly and falsely cry them down, and yet afterwards boast of their good bargain and cheating the seller

Proverbs 20:15

Wise and gracious speeches, proceeding from a wise and understanding heart, are more valuable than all the gold, pearls, or precious things on earth

Proverbs 20:16

Never trust him without a proper pledge who rashly becomes surety for every body, strangers and harlots not excepted; for he will quickly be reduced to beggary

Proverbs 20:17

Gains, honours, and pleasures, acquired by unrighteous courses, may at first be extremely agreeable to men; but they will at last produce anguish of conscience, pangs of repentance, or torments of despair

Proverbs 20:18

Deliberation with ourselves, and consulting with others who are prudent, is the way to obtain success in our undertakings, especially in matters of importance and danger

Proverbs 20:19

It is always necessary to suspect flatterers, and to turn a deaf ear to tale-bearers, who, by treacherously revealing the secrets which others have intrusted to them, labour to insinuate themselves into our confidence, and then betray us

Proverbs 20:20

Slighters, revilers, abusers, and washers of mischief, to parents, bring fearful and lasting ruin on themselves and posterity, however they may prosper for a time

Proverbs 20:21

Many by unrighteous courses quickly become rich; but the foundation being laid in rapine, extortion, or fraud, it shall quickly waste away, or prove a curse to such as enjoy it

Proverbs 20:22

Never revenge injuries received; but commit thy cause to God, who judges righteously; wait patiently in the use of lawful means for the fulfilment of his promises, and he will vindicate and deliver thee in his own time

Proverbs 20:23

Injustice, even in the smallest things, is so extremely abominable to God, that it cannot be too much hated or avoided

Proverbs 20:24

Men’s thoughts, words, and actions, are all directed by God to his own ends: and none can certainly know before hand what will be the issue of them

Proverbs 20:25

A sacrilegious converting of what pertains to God to our own private use, and studying how to be loosed from the obligations of solemn vows, terribly emanate men’s souls, and bring certain ruin upon them

Proverbs 20:26

Pious and prudent magistrates exert themselves to discourage and terrify the wicked, and punish them with proper severity

Proverbs 20:27

The rational soul and conscience, especially when renewed by the Spirit of God, act as his deputies; discovering, judging, accusing, or approving, whatever passes within us according as it is contrary or conformable to God’s revealed will

Proverbs 20:28

Bounty and clemency, joined with justice and faithfulness to their word, are principal means of securing the government of princes, and entailing their kingdom on their posterity

Proverbs 20:29

Strength, vigour, and courage, render young men respected; but gravity, wisdom, and experience, are the peculiar ornaments of the aged

Proverbs 20:30

Severe corrections are necessary to restrain or reclaim some stubborn and obstinate tempers, and to purge out those corrupt affections which are lodged in the heart