Proverbs 10 · Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
CHAPTER 10 Pr 10:1-32 . Here begins the second part of the book, Pr 10:1-22:16, which, with the third, Pr 22:16-25:28, contains series of proverbs whose sense is complete in one or two verses, and which, having no logical connection, admit of no analysis. The parallelisms of Pr 10: 1-15:33 are mostly antithetic; and those of Pr 16:1-22:16, synthetic. The evidences of art in the structure are very clear, and indicate, probably, a purpose of facilitating the labor of memorizing. 1. wise [and] foolish-- as they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom. maketh ... father-- or, "gladdens a father." heaviness-- or, "grief."
2. Treasures ... nothing-- that is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare Pr 4:17 ; Mt 6:19 ). righteousness-- especially beneficence ( Psa 112:9 ). death-- the greatest of all evils.
3. (Compare Psa 37:16-20 ). The last clause is better: "He will repel the greedy desires of the wicked."
4. slack-- literally, "deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare Ho 7:16 ). maketh rich-- (compare Pr 10:22 ).
5. son-- as Pr 1:8 , 10 , and often. sleepeth-- in indolence, and not for rest. causeth shame-- literally, "is base" (compare Pr 14:35 ; 17:2 ).
6. Blessings-- literally, "Praises." The last clause is better: "The mouth of the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous devices)" to be executed in due time ( Psa 5:9 ; 10:7 ; Ro 3:14 ), and hence has no praises (compare Pr 10:11 ).
7. blessed-- literally, "for a blessing," or praise. shall rot-- literally, "be worm-eaten," useless and disgusting.
8. wise, &c.-- (compare Pr 9:8 , 9, 16 ), opposed to prating fool-- or, "fool of lips of wicked language." fall-- headlong, suddenly.
9. perverteth his ways-- acts deceitfully. known-- discovered and punished.
10. Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one ( Pr 6:13 ; Psa 35:19 ), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.
11. a well-- or, "source" of good to himself and others ( Joh 7:37 , 38 ). On last clause, see on Pr 10:6 .
12. strifes-- or, "litigations." covereth-- by forgiveness and forbearance.
13. In the lips ... found-- hence, not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool. void of understanding-- ( Pr 6:32 ; 7:7 ).
14. lay up knowledge-- that is, as treasures for good use. mouth ... destruction-- or, "as to the mouth," &c., destruction is near; they expose themselves to evil by prating.
15. Both by trusting in "uncertain riches" ( 1Ti 6:17 ), or by the evils of poverty ( Pr 30:9 ), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.
16. The industry of the righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked tempt and lead to sin.
17. keepeth-- observes ( Pr 3:18 ; 4:22 ). refuseth-- or, "turns from reproof," which might direct him aright.
18. Both vices must one day be known and punished, and hence their folly.
19. Much speech involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue ( Psa 39:1 ; Jas 1:26 ).
20. Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.
21. Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare Pr 10:11 , 17 ; Ho 4:6 ).
22. it maketh, &c.-- "it" is emphatic. Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (compare Ec 2:21-23 ; 1Ti 6:9 , 10, 17).
23. Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good.
24. it-- the very thing. The wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.
25. (Compare Psa 1:4 ; 37:9, 10, 36). righteous ... foundation-- well laid and firm ( Mt 7:24 , 25 ).
27. (Compare Pr 9:11 ; Psa 55:23 ).
28. gladness-- in confidence of realizing it. expectation ... perish-- in disappointment.
29. The way, &c.-- that is, God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked ( Ho 14:9 ).
30. (Compare Pr 12:3 ; Psa 37:9-11; 102:28). earth-- or, "land of promise."
31. bringeth forth-- literally, "germinates" as a plant. froward-- (Compare Pr 2:12 , 14 ). cut off-- as an unproductive plant.