Proverbs 18

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. 23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Commentary — not Bible text

Proverbs 18:1

Pr 18:1-24.

1. Through desire ... seeketh--that is, seeks selfish gratification.

intermeddleth ... wisdom--or, "rushes on" (Pr 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Pr 2:7).

Proverbs 18:2

2. that his heart ... itself--that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23; 15:2).

Proverbs 18:3

3. So surely are sin and punishment connected (Pr 16:4).

wicked, for "wickedness," answers to

ignominy, or the state of such; and

contempt, the feeling of others to them; and to

reproach, a manifestation of contempt.

Proverbs 18:4

4. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.

Proverbs 18:5

5. accept the person--(Compare Psa 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."

Proverbs 18:6-7

6-7. The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Pr 6:2).

Proverbs 18:8

8. (Compare Pr 16:28).

as wounds--not sustained by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men gladly swallow.

innermost ... belly--the mind, or heart (compare Pr 20:27-30; Psa 22:14).

Proverbs 18:9

9. One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor.

waster--literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.

Proverbs 18:10

10. name of the Lord--manifested perfections (Psa 8:1; 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely.

is safe--literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Psa 18:2; 91:4).

Proverbs 18:13

13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pr 26:12).

Proverbs 18:14

14. infirmity--bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.

Proverbs 18:16

16. (Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.

Proverbs 18:17

17. One-sided statements are not reliable.

searcheth--thoroughly (Pr 17:9, 19).

Proverbs 18:18

18. The lot--whose disposal is of God (Pr 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.

Proverbs 18:19

19. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.

Proverbs 18:20

20. (Compare Pr 12:14; 13:2). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them.

satisfied with--(Compare Pr 1:31; 14:14).

Proverbs 18:21

21. Death and life--or, the greatest evil and good.

that love it--that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil.

eat ... fruit--(Compare Pr 18:19; Jas 1:19).

Proverbs 18:22

22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pr 19:14 imply (compare Pr 31:10).

Proverbs 18:23

23. the rich ... roughly--He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.

Proverbs 18:24

24. A man ... friendly--better, "A man ... (is) to, or, may triumph (Psa 108:9), or, shout for joy (Psa 5:11), that is, may congratulate himself." Indeed, there is a Friend who is better than a brother; such is the "Friend of sinners" [Mt 11:19; Lu 7:34], who may have been before the writer's mind.

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