--- title: "John Wesley's Notes on the Whole Bible" author: "John Wesley" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 167 of 398 url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-wesley-notes-on-the-whole-bible/167/ cite: "John Wesley, John Wesley's Notes on the Whole Bible, section 167. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-wesley-notes-on-the-whole-bible/167/" --- # John Wesley's Notes on the Whole Bible *John Wesley* Wesley's short, plain notes on the Old and New Testaments, verse by verse. ## 167. Proverbs · 5 of 13 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-wesley-notes-on-the-whole-bible/167/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-wesley-notes-on-the-whole-bible/167/#p-N [¶0] Deceit - He who uses himself to lying in his common talk, will use falsehood and deceit in judgment. [¶1] Health - Tends to the comfort and benefit of others. [¶2] A moment - Liars, though they may make a fair shew for a season, yet are quickly convicted. [¶3] Deceit - They whose hearts devise mischief shall be deceived in their hopes, and bring trouble upon themselves: but they who by good counsels labour to promote peace, shall reap the comfort of it themselves. [¶4] Concealeth - He does not unseasonably utter what he knows. Foolishness - Betrays his ignorance and folly. [¶5] A good word - A compassionate or encouraging word. [¶6] Neighbour - Than any other men. Seduceth - Heb. maketh them to err, to lose that excellency or happiness which they had promised themselves. [¶7] Resteth not - Does not enjoy the fruit of his labours. Precious - Yields him comfort and blessing with it. [¶8] Shall eat - Shall receive comfort, and benefit by his wise and profitable discourses. [¶9] Keepeth him - From that over - throw which befal sinners. [¶10] Maketh rich - Some men who have little or nothing, pretend to have great riches. Maketh rich - Some rich men profess to be poor. [¶11] Riches - Riches enable a man to redeem his life when it is in greatest danger, and poverty preserves a man from many injuries. Because they are cautious, that they may not provoke others; and because they are esteemed objects of pity. [¶12] The light - The prosperity. Rejoiceth - Shines with a pleasant and constant brightness. Rejoicing is here ascribed to the light, as it is to the sun, Psal 19:5, metaphorically. Put out - Their felicity shall have a hidden end. [¶13] Pride - It is chiefly, pride which blows up the coals of contention. Well - advised - Who are not governed by their passions, but by prudent considerations. Wisdom - Which teaches them to avoid contention. [¶14] Vanity - By wicked practices. [¶15] Hope deferred - Delays in obtaining what a man passionately desires. The desire - The good desired. A tree of life - It is satisfactory, and reviving. [¶16] The word - The word of God. [¶17] The law - The instruction, or counsel; as the word law, is frequently understood in scripture. [¶18] Giveth - Makes a man acceptable to God. Rough - Offensive and hateful to God and men, as rough ways are to a traveller. [¶19] Knowledge - Considerately and discreetly. Layeth open - By his foolish actions. [¶20] A messenger - Who is unfaithful in the execution of that which is committed to his charge. Is health - Procures benefit, as to his master, so to himself. [¶21] Sweet - Whatsoever men earnestly desire, the enjoyment of it is sweet to them; therefore sinners rejoice in the satisfaction of their sinful lusts, and abhor all restraint of them. [¶22] Evil - Punishment proportionable to their sin. [¶23] The poor - Poor persons by their diligent labours, and God's blessing often grow rich. Destroyed - Or, consumed, brought to poverty, for want of discretion. [¶24] Hateth his son - His fond affection, is as pernicious to him as hatred. [¶25] Buildeth - Maintains and improves her family and estate. Her hands - By her idleness or sin. [¶26] A rod - His insolent speeches as they are like a rod, offensive to others, so, they make a rod for their own backs. [¶27] The crib - The stable is empty of food for cattle, and much more for man. In the same sense cleanness of teeth is put for famine, Amos 4:6. The strength - By their labours, or by diligence in husbandry, which then was principally managed by oxen. [¶28] Findeth it not - Because he doth not seek it aright. That understandeth - That is honest and pious. [¶29] His way - Consists not in vain speculations, but in a diligent study of his duty, and of the way to eternal happiness. The folly - The wit of ungodly men, which is really their folly, is employed only in finding out ways of deceiving. [¶30] Favour - They find favour both with God and men. [¶31] Bitterness - The inward griefs and joys of mens hearts, are not known to any but a man's self. [¶32] Right - There are some evil courses which men may think to be lawful and good. The end - The event shews that they were sinful and destructive. [¶33] In laughter - The outward signs of joy are often mixed with real sorrow. [¶34] In heart - He who departs from God inwardly. Filled - With the fruit of his ways, the punishment of his sins. Satisfied - From the pious temper of his own heart, which cleaves to the Lord, he shall receive unspeakable comfort. [¶35] The simple - A foolish man. Looketh - He orders his dealings in the world with due circumspection, not considering so much what other men say as what he ought to do. [¶36] Feareth - Trembles at God's judgments when they are either inflicted or threatened. Rageth - Frets against God; or is enraged against his messengers. Confident - Secure and insensible of his danger. [¶37] Foolishly - His passion hurries him into foolish speeches and actions. Wicked devices - One who suppresses his passion, but meditates revenge. Hated - Both by God and men. [¶38] Inherit - They possess it as their inheritance, holding it fast, and glorying in it. Knowledge - The saving knowledge of God and of their own duty. [¶39] The evil - Good men shall have the pre - eminency over the wicked. [¶40] Hated - Despised and abandoned. [¶41] Despiseth - That does not pity and relieve the poor. [¶42] The talk - Idle talking will bring a man to poverty. [¶43] Riches - They are a singular advantage and ornament to them. But - As for rich fools, their folly is not cured, but made worse and more manifest by their riches. [¶44] Souls - Such as are innocent, from false accusations.