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).
2. that his heart . . . itself--that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23 15:2). 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. 4. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit. 5. accept the person--(Compare Ps 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 (Pr 6:2).
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 Ps 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 (Ps 8:1 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely. is safe--literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Ps 18:2 91:4). 11. contrasts with Pr 18:10 (compare Pr 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Ps 73:6). 12. (Compare Pr 15:33 16:18). 13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pr 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 Pr 1:5,15,31). 16. (Compare Pr 17:8,23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied. 17. One-sided statements are not reliable. searcheth--thoroughly (Pr 17:9,19). 18. The lot--whose disposal is of God (Pr 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 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). 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). 22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pr 19:14 imply (compare Pr 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 (Ps 108:9), or, shout for joy (Ps 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.
