Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 (Pro. 12:1-28)
loveth knowledge--as the fruit of instruction or training (
Pro 1:2).
hateth reproof-- (
Pro 10:17).
brutish--stupid, regardless of his own welfare (
Ps 49:10;
Ps 73:22).
3 Wickedness cannot give permanent prosperity.
root . . . not be moved--firm as a flourishing tree-- (
Ps 1:3;
Ps 15:5;
Jer 17:8).
4 A virtuous woman--in the wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties (
Pro 31:10).
maketh ashamed--that is, by misconduct.
rottenness--an incurable evil.
5 thoughts--or, "purposes."
are right--literally, "are judgment," that is, true decisions.
counsels--(Compare
Pro 11:14).
deceit--contrary to truth and honesty.
6 The words--or, "expressed designs" of the wicked are for evil purposes.
the mouth--or, "words" of the righteous delivering instead of ensnaring men.
7 Such conduct brings a proper return, by the destruction of the wicked and well-being of the righteous and his family.
8 despised--as opposed to commended (
Pro 11:12).
perverse heart--or, "wicked principles," as opposed to one of wisdom.
9 despised--held in little repute, obscure (
1Sam 18:23;
Isa 3:5).
hath a servant--implying some means of honest living.
honoureth himself--is self-conceited.
10 regardeth--literally, "knoweth" (
Ps 1:6).
mercies . . . cruel--as acts of compassion ungraciously rendered to the needy. The righteous more regards a beast than the wicked a man.
11 The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle (
Pro 6:32;
Pro 7:7).
12 the wicked . . . evil--They love the crafty arts of deception.
the root . . . fruit--their own resources supply them; or, it may be rendered: "He (God) giveth, or, sets (
Ezek 17:22) the root of the righteous," and hence it is firm: or, the verb is impersonal; "As to the root . . . it is firm" (
Pro 17:19).
13 The wicked is snared, &c.--The sentiment expanded. While the wicked, such as liars, flatterers, &c., fall by their own words, the righteous are unhurt. Their good conduct makes friends, and God rewards them.
15 The way . . . eyes--The fool is self-conceited (compare
Pro 12:1;
Pro 1:32;
Pro 10:17;
Jas 3:17).
16 prudent . . . shame--He is slow to denounce his insulters (
Jas 1:19).
18 speaketh--literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (
Ps 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives.
tongue . . . health--by soothing and gentle language.
19 Words of truth are consistent, and stand all tests, while lies are soon discovered and exposed.
20 that imagine--or, "plan" (
Pro 3:29). They design a deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed (compare
Matt 5:9;
Rom 12:18).
21 no evil--(as in
Ps 91:10), under God's wise limitations (
Rom 8:28).
mischief--as penal evil.
22 deal truly--or, "faithfully," that is, according to promises (compare
John 3:21).
23 concealeth--by his modesty (
Pro 10:14;
Pro 11:13).
heart . . . proclaimeth--as his lips speak his thoughts (compare
Eccl 10:3).
24 slothful--(Compare Margin), so called because he fails to meet his promises.
under tribute--not denoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence.
25 a good word--one of comfort.
26 more excellent--(Compare Margin); or, "more successful," while the wicked fail; or, we may read it: "The righteous guides his friend, but," &c., that is, The ability of the righteous to aid others is contrasted with the ruin to which the way of the wicked leads themselves.
27 (Compare
Pro 12:24).
took in hunting--or, "his venison." He does not improve his advantages.
the substance . . . precious--or, "the wealth of a man of honor is being diligent," or "diligence."
precious--literally, "honor" (
Eccl 10:1).
28 (Compare
Pro 8:8,
Pro 8:20, &c.). A sentiment often stated; here first affirmatively, then negatively.