131 A wise son is a lover of teaching, but the ears of the haters of authority are shut to sharp words.
2 A man will get good from the fruit of his lips, but the desire of the false is for violent acts.
3 He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.
4 The hater of work does not get his desires, but the soul of the hard workers will be made fat.
5 The upright man is a hater of false words: the evil-doer gets a bad name and is put to shame.
6 Righteousness keeps safe him whose way is without error, but evil-doers are overturned by sin.
7 A man may be acting as if he had wealth, but have nothing; another may seem poor, but have great wealth.
8 A man will give his wealth in exchange for his life; but the poor will not give ear to sharp words.
9 There is a glad dawn for the upright man, but the light of the sinner will be put out.
10 The only effect of pride is fighting; but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.
11 Wealth quickly got will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased.
12 Hope put off is a weariness to the heart; but when what is desired comes, it is a tree of life.
13 He who makes sport of the word will come to destruction, but the respecter of the law will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning men away from the nets of death.
15 Wise behaviour gets approval, but the way of the false is their destruction.
16 A sharp man does everything with knowledge, but a foolish man makes clear his foolish thoughts.
17 A man taking false news is a cause of trouble, but he who gives news rightly makes things well.
18 Need and shame will be the fate of him who is uncontrolled by training; but he who takes note of teaching will be honoured.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 13:1-18
Commentary on Proverbs 13:1
(Read Proverbs 13:1)
There is great hope of those that reverence their parents. There is little hope of any who will not hear those that deal faithfully with them.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:2
(Read Proverbs 13:2)
By our words we must be justified or condemned, Matthew 12:37.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:3
(Read Proverbs 13:3)
He that thinks before he speaks, that suppresses evil if he have thought it, keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief. Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:4
(Read Proverbs 13:4)
The slothful desire the gains the diligent get, but hate the pains the diligent take; therefore they have nothing. This is especially true as to the soul.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:5
(Read Proverbs 13:5)
Where sin reigns, the man is loathsome. If his conscience were awake, he would abhor himself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:6
(Read Proverbs 13:6)
An honest desire to do right, preserves a man from fatal mistakes, better than a thousand fine-drawn distinctions.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:7
(Read Proverbs 13:7)
Some who are really poor, trade and spend as if they were rich: this is sin, and will be shame, and it will end accordingly. Some that are really rich, would be thought to be poor: in this there is want of gratitude to God, want of justice and charity to others. There are many hypocrites, empty of grace, who will not be convinced of their poverty. There are many fearing Christians, who are spiritually rich, yet think themselves poor; by their doubts, and complaints, and griefs, they make themselves poor.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:8
(Read Proverbs 13:8)
Great riches often tempt to violence against those that possess them; but the poor are free from such perils.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:9
(Read Proverbs 13:9)
The light of the righteous is as that of the sun, which may be eclipsed and clouded, but will continue: the Spirit is their Light, he gives a fulness of joy: that of the wicked is as a lamp of their own kindling, easily put out.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:10
(Read Proverbs 13:10)
All contentions, whether between private persons, families, churches, or nations, are begun and carried forward by pride. Disputes would be easily prevented or ended, if it were not for pride.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
(Read Proverbs 13:11)
Wealth gotten by dishonesty or vice, has a secret curse, which will speedily waste it.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:12
(Read Proverbs 13:12)
The delay of what is anxiously hoped for, is very painful to the mind; obtaining it is very pleasant. But spiritual blessings are chiefly intended.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:13
(Read Proverbs 13:13)
He that stands in awe of God, and reverences his word, shall escape destruction, and be rewarded for his godly fear.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:14
(Read Proverbs 13:14)
The rule by which the wise regulate their conduct, is a fountain yielding life and happiness.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:15
(Read Proverbs 13:15)
The way of sinners is hard upon others, and hard to the sinner himself. The service of sin is slavery; the road to hell is strewed with the thorns and thistles that followed the curse.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:16
(Read Proverbs 13:16)
It is folly to talk of things of which we know nothing, and to undertake what we are no way fit for.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:17
(Read Proverbs 13:17)
Those that are wicked, and false to Christ and to the souls of men, do mischief, and fall into mischief; but those that are faithful, find sound words healing to others and to themselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:18
(Read Proverbs 13:18)
He that scorns to be taught, will certainly be brought down.