Deceit - He who uses himself to lying in his common talk, will use falsehood and deceit in judgment.
Health - Tends to the comfort and benefit of others.
A moment - Liars, though they may make a fair shew for a season, yet are quickly convicted.
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.
Concealeth - He does not unseasonably utter what he knows. Foolishness - Betrays his ignorance and folly.
A good word - A compassionate or encouraging word.
Neighbour - Than any other men. Seduceth - Heb. maketh them to err, to lose that excellency or happiness which they had promised themselves.
Resteth not - Does not enjoy the fruit of his labours. Precious - Yields him comfort and blessing with it.
Shall eat - Shall receive comfort, and benefit by his wise and profitable discourses.
Keepeth him - From that over - throw which befal sinners.
Maketh rich - Some men who have little or nothing, pretend to have great riches. Maketh rich - Some rich men profess to be poor.
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.
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.
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.
Vanity - By wicked practices.
Hope deferred - Delays in obtaining what a man passionately desires. The desire - The good desired. A tree of life - It is satisfactory, and reviving.
The word - The word of God.
The law - The instruction, or counsel; as the word law, is frequently understood in scripture.
Giveth - Makes a man acceptable to God. Rough - Offensive and hateful to God and men, as rough ways are to a traveller.
Knowledge - Considerately and discreetly. Layeth open - By his foolish actions.
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.
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.
Evil - Punishment proportionable to their sin.
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.
Hateth his son - His fond affection, is as pernicious to him as hatred.
Buildeth - Maintains and improves her family and estate. Her hands - By her idleness or sin.
A rod - His insolent speeches as they are like a rod, offensive to others, so, they make a rod for their own backs.
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.
Findeth it not - Because he doth not seek it aright. That understandeth - That is honest and pious.
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.
Favour - They find favour both with God and men.
Bitterness - The inward griefs and joys of mens hearts, are not known to any but a man's self.
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.
In laughter - The outward signs of joy are often mixed with real sorrow.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The evil - Good men shall have the pre - eminency over the wicked.
Hated - Despised and abandoned.
Despiseth - That does not pity and relieve the poor.
The talk - Idle talking will bring a man to poverty.
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.
Souls - Such as are innocent, from false accusations.