---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 272 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/272/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 272. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/272/"
---

# Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

*Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown*

The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation.

## 272. Proverbs · 22 of 27

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/272/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/272/#p-N

[¶0] also--refers to the former part of the book.

[¶1] copied out--literally, "transferred," that is, from some other book to this; not given from memory.

[¶2] 2. God's unsearchableness impresses us with awe (compare [Is 45:15]; [Ro 11:33]). But kings, being finite, should confer with wise counsellors;

[¶3] 3. Ye wisely keeping state secrets, which to common men are as inaccessible heights and depths.

[¶4] 4-5. As separating impurities from ore leaves pure silver, so taking from a king wicked counsellors leaves a wise and beneficent government.

[¶5] 6-7. Do not intrude into the presence of the king, for the elevation of the humble is honorable, but the humbling of the proud disgraceful ([Lu 14:8-10]).

[¶6] 8. (Compare [Pr 3:30]).

[¶7] lest ... shame--lest you do what you ought not, when shamed by defeat, or "lest thou art shut out from doing any thing."

[¶8] 9-10. (Compare [Mt 5:25], Margin).

[¶9] secret--that is, of your opponent, for his disadvantage, and so you be disgraced, not having discussed your difficulties with him.

[¶10] 11. a word fitly--literally, "quickly," as wheels roll, just in time. The comparison as apples ... silver gives a like sense.

[¶11] apples, &c.--either real apples of golden color, in a silver network basket, or imitations on silver embroidery.

[¶12] 12. Those who desire to know and do rightly, most highly esteem good counsel ([Pr 9:9]; ). The listening ear is better than one hung with gold.

[¶13] 13. Snow from mountains was used to cool drinks; so refreshing is a faithful messenger ([Pr 13:17]).

[¶14] 14. clouds--literally, "vapors" ([Jr 10:13]), clouds only in appearance.

[¶15] a false gift--promised, but not given.

[¶16] 15. Gentleness and kindness overcome the most powerful and obstinate.

[¶17] long forbearing--or, "slowness to anger" ([Pr 14:29]; ).

[¶18] 16-17. A comparison, as a surfeit of honey produces physical disgust, so your company, however agreeable in moderation, may, if excessive, lead your friend to hate you.

[¶19] 18. A false witness is as destructive to reputation, as such weapons to the body ([Pr 24:28]).

[¶20] beareth ... witness--literally, "answereth questions," as before a judge, against his neighbor.

[¶21] 19. Treachery annoys as well as deceives.

[¶22] 20. Not only is the incongruity of songs (that is, joyful) and sadness meant, but an accession of sadness, by want of sympathy, is implied.

[¶23] 21-22. (Compare [Mt 5:44]; [Ro 12:20]). As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness.

[¶24] 23. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth ([Psa 90:2]) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger."

[¶25] 24. (Compare [Pr 21:9], ).

[¶26] 25. (Compare [Pr 25:13]).

[¶27] good news--that is, of some loved interest or absent friend, the more grateful as coming from afar.

[¶28] 26. From troubled fountains and corrupt springs no healthy water is to be had, so when the righteous are oppressed by the wicked, their power for good is lessened or destroyed.

[¶29] 27. Satiety surfeits ([Pr 25:16]); so men who are self-glorious find shame.

[¶30] is not glory--"not" is supplied from the first clause, or "is grievous," in which sense a similar word is used ([Pr 27:2]).

[¶31] 28. Such are exposed to the incursions of evil thoughts and successful temptations.

### Chapter 26

[¶33] [Pr 26:1-28].

[¶34] 1. The incongruities of nature illustrate also those of the moral world. The fool's unworthiness is also implied ([Pr 17:7]; ).

[¶35] 2. Though not obvious to us,

[¶36] the bird--literally, "sparrow"--and

[¶37] swallow--have an object in their motions, so penal evil falls on none without a reason.

[¶38] 3. The rod is as much needed by fools and as well suited to them, as whips and bridles are for beasts.

[¶39] 4-5. Answer not--that is, approvingly by like folly.

[¶40] 6. A fool fails by folly as surely as if he were maimed.

[¶41] drinketh damage--that is, gets it abundantly ([Job 15:16]; ).

[¶42] 7. legs ... equal--or, "take away the legs," or "the legs ... are weak." In any case the idea is that they are the occasion of an awkwardness, such as the fool shows in using a parable or proverb (see Introduction; [Pr 17:7]).

[¶43] 8. A stone, bound in a sling, is useless; so honor, conferred on a fool, is thrown away.

[¶44] 9. As vexatious and unmanageable as a thorn in a drunkard's hand is a parable to a fool. He will be as apt to misuse is as to use it rightly.