Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET
CHAPTER 18
1. Through desire...seeketh—that is, seeks selfish gratification.
intermeddleth...wisdom—or, "rushes on" (Pro 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Pro 2:7).
2. that his heart...itself—that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pro 12:23; 15:2).
3. So surely are sin and punishment connected (Pro 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.
4. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.
5. accept the person—(Compare Psa 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."
6, 7. The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Pro 6:2).
8. (Compare Pro 16:28).
as wounds—not sustained by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men gladly swallow.
innermost...belly—the mind, or heart (compare Pro 20:27-30; Psa 22:14).
9. One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor.
waster—literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.
10. name of the Lord—manifested perfections (Psa 8:1; 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, etc., on which men rely.
is safe—literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Psa 18:2; 91:4).
11. contrasts with Pro 18:10 (compare Pro 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Psa 73:6).
12. (Compare Pro 15:33; 16:18).
13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pro 26:12).
14. infirmity—bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.
15. (Compare Pro 1:5, 15, 31).
16. (Compare Pro 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.
17. One-sided statements are not reliable.
searcheth—thoroughly (Pro 17:9, 19).
18. The lot—whose disposal is of God (Pro 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.
19. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.
20. (Compare Pro 12:14; 13:2). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them.
satisfied with—(Compare Pro 1:31; 14:14).
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 Pro 18:19; Jam 1:19).
22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pro 19:14 imply (compare Pro 31:10).
23. the rich...roughly—He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.
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" [Mat 11:19; Luk 7:34], who may have been before the writer's mind.