Proverbs 18 · Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
CHAPTER 18 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 ).
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 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 ( 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 ; 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, &c., on which men rely. is safe-- literally, "set on high, out of danger" ( Psa 18:2 ; 91:4 ).
11. contrasts with Pr 18:10 (compare Pr 10:15 ). Such is a vain trust (compare Psa 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.