Verse 1

Do not confide implicitly in your plans (Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 19:21; James 4:13-15).

Verse 2

Avoid self-praise.

Verse 3

heavy — The literal sense of “heavy,” applied to material subjects, illustrates its figurative, “grievous,” applied to moral.

a fool‘s wrath — is unreasonable and excessive.

Verse 4

envy — or, “jealousy” (compare Margin; Proverbs 6:34), is more unappeasable than the simpler bad passions.

Verse 5-6

secret love — not manifested in acts is useless; and even, if its exhibition by rebukes wounds us, such love is preferable to the frequent (compare Margin), and hence deceitful, kisses of an enemy.

Verse 7

The luxury of wealth confers less happiness than the healthy appetite of labor.

Verse 8

Such are not only out of place, but out of duty and in danger.

Verse 9

rejoice the heart — the organ of perceiving what pleases the senses.

sweetness … counsel — or, “wise counsel is also pleasing.”

Verse 10

Adhere to tried friends. The ties of blood may be less reliable than those of genuine friendship.

Verse 11

The wisdom of children both reflects credit on parents and contributes to their aid in difficulties.

Verse 12-13

(Compare Proverbs 20:16; Proverbs 22:3).

Verse 14

Excessive zeal in praising raises suspicions of selfishness.

Verse 15

(Compare Proverbs 19:13).

very  …  day — literally, “a day of showers.”

Verse 16

hideth — or, “restrains” (that is, tries to do it); is as fruitless an effort, as that of holding the wind.

the ointment of his right hand — the organ of power (Psalm 17:7; Psalm 18:35). His right hand endeavors to repress perfume, but vainly. Some prefer: “His right hand comes on oil,” that is, “cannot take hold.” Such a woman cannot be tamed.

Verse 17

a man sharpeneth … friend — that is, conversation promotes intelligence, which the face exhibits.

Verse 18

Diligence secures a reward, even for the humble servant.

Verse 19

We may see our characters in the developed tempers of others.

Verse 20

Men‘s cupidity is as insatiable as the grave.

Verse 21

Praise tests character.

a man to his praise — according to his praise, as he bears it. Thus vain men seek it, weak men are inflated by it, wise men disregard it, etc.

Verse 22

The obstinate wickedness of such is incurable by the heaviest inflictions.

Verse 23-24

flocks — constituted the staple of wealth. It is only by care and diligence that the most solid possessions can be perpetuated (Proverbs 23:5).

Verses 25-27

The fact that providential arrangements furnish the means of competence to those who properly use them is another motive to diligence (compare Psalm 65:9-13).

The hay appeareth — literally, “Grass appeareth” (Job 40:15; Psalm 104:14).

Verse 27

household — literally, “house,” the family (Acts 16:15; 1 Corinthians 1:16).