Verse 2

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Aright — Expressing what he knows prudently and gracefully.

Poureth out — Plentifully, continually, and vehemently, as a fountain does waters.

Verse 4

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Wholesome — Which utters sound and useful counsels.

Tree of life — Is greatly useful to preserve the present life, and to promote the spiritual and eternal life, both of the speaker and hearers.

Perverseness — False or corrupt speeches.

A breach — Disturbs and wounds the spirits, both of the speaker and hearers.

Verse 6

In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

Revenues — Though he may obtain great revenues, yet they are attended with much trouble.

Verse 7

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

Disperse — Freely communicate to others what they know.

Verse 8

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Sacrifice — All the religious services, yea, the most costly; one kind being put for all the rest.

Prayer — The cheapest and meanest services.

Verse 11

Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Destruction — The place of destruction, of which men know nothing but by Divine revelation.

Verse 14

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Foolishness — Wickedness is meat and drink to them.

Verse 15

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Afflicted — Of the troubled in mind.

Evil — Tedious and uncomfortable.

Chearful — Heb. of a good heart.

Verse 16

Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Trouble — Tumultuous lusts and passions, vexatious cares, and horrors of conscience.

Verse 19

The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

An hedge — As a way hedged up with thorns, troublesome, perplexed, and full of difficulties.

Plain — Is easy and pleasant to him, notwithstanding all its difficulties.

Verse 22

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Counsel — When men do not seek, or will not receive advice from others.

Verse 23

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

The answer — By a wise, or good and seasonable answer.

Verse 24

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

The way — The way a wise man takes to obtain life, is to place his heart, and treasure, and conversation on things above.

Verse 25

The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

The proud — Of the mighty oppressors.

The border — The estate, the border being often used, for the land within the borders.

Verse 26

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Pleasant — Acceptable to God.

Verse 27

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

Troubleth — Brings God's curse upon himself and family.

Gifts — Bribes given to corrupt judgment.

Live — Shall preserve himself and family from ruin.

Verse 28

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Studieth — He speaks considerately.

The mouth — Not the heart; for he rashly speaks what comes into his mouth, without the direction of his heart or conscience.

Verse 30

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

A good report — A good name.

Fat — Not only chears a man for the present, but gives him such stable comfort as revives his soul, and gives vigour to his body.

Verse 31

The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

The ear — The man that hearkens to that reproof which leads to life, seeks and delights in the company of the wise.

Verse 33

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

The instruction — Doth instruct men in true wisdom.