9 He whose ways are upright will go safely, but he whose ways are twisted will be made low.
10 He who makes signs with his eyes is a cause of trouble, but he who makes a man see his errors is a cause of peace.
11 The mouth of the upright man is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the evil-doer is a bitter cup.
12 Hate is a cause of violent acts, but all errors are covered up by love.
13 In the lips of him who has knowledge wisdom is seen; but a rod is ready for the back of him who is without sense.
14 Knowledge is stored up by the wise, but the mouth of the foolish man is a destruction which is near.
15 The property of the man of wealth is his strong town: the poor man's need is his destruction.
16 The work of the upright gives life: the increase of the evil-doer is a cause of sin.
17 He who takes note of teaching is a way of life, but he who gives up training is a cause of error.
18 Hate is covered up by the lips of the upright man, but he who lets out evil about another is foolish.
19 Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin, but he who keeps his mouth shut does wisely.
20 The tongue of the upright man is like tested silver: the heart of the evil-doer is of little value. 21 The lips of the upright man give food to men, but the foolish come to death for need of sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord gives wealth: hard work makes it no greater.
23 It is sport to the foolish man to do evil, but the man of good sense takes delight in wisdom.
24 The thing feared by the evil-doer will come to him, but the upright man will get his desire. 25 When the storm-wind is past, the sinner is seen no longer, but the upright man is safe for ever.
26 Like acid drink to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the hater of work to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord gives long life, but the years of the evil-doer will be cut short. 28 The hope of the upright man will give joy, but the waiting of the evil-doer will have its end in sorrow.
29 The way of the Lord is a strong tower for the upright man, but destruction to the workers of evil. 30 The upright man will never be moved, but evil-doers will not have a safe resting-place in the land.
31 The mouth of the upright man is budding with wisdom, but the twisted tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of the upright man have knowledge of what is pleasing, but twisted are the mouths of evil-doers.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 10:9-32
Commentary on Proverbs 10:9
(Read Proverbs 10:9)
Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
(Read Proverbs 10:10)
Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:11
(Read Proverbs 10:11)
The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:12
(Read Proverbs 10:12)
Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
(Read Proverbs 10:13)
Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
(Read Proverbs 10:14)
Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:15
(Read Proverbs 10:15)
This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:16
(Read Proverbs 10:16)
Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:17
(Read Proverbs 10:17)
The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:18
(Read Proverbs 10:18)
He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:19
(Read Proverbs 10:19)
Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise man, and therein consults his own peace.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:20-21
(Read Proverbs 10:20-21)
The tongue of the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:22
(Read Proverbs 10:22)
That wealth which is truly desirable, has no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment; no grief for the loss; no guilt by the abuse of it. What comes from the love of God, has the grace of God for its companion.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:23
(Read Proverbs 10:23)
Only foolish and wicked men divert themselves with doing harm to others, or tempting to sin.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:24
(Read Proverbs 10:24)
The largest desire of eternal blessings the righteous can form, will be granted.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:25
(Read Proverbs 10:25)
The course of prosperous sinners is like a whirlwind, which soon spends itself, and is gone.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:26
(Read Proverbs 10:26)
As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes to smart, so the sluggard vexes his employer.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:27-28
(Read Proverbs 10:27-28)
What man is he that loves life? Let him fear God, and that will secure to him life enough in this world, and eternal life in the other.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:29
(Read Proverbs 10:29)
The believer grows stronger in faith, and obeys with increased delight.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:30
(Read Proverbs 10:30)
The wicked would be glad to have this earth their home for ever, but it cannot be so. They must die and leave all their idols behind.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:31-32
(Read Proverbs 10:31-32)
A good man discourses wisely for the benefit of others. But it is the sin, and will be the ruin of a wicked man, that he speaks what is displeasing to God, and provoking to those he converses with. The righteous is kept by the power of God; and nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.