16 A gracious woman attains honor , And ruthless men attain riches .
17 The merciful man does himself good , But the cruel man does himself harm .
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages , But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward .
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life , And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death .
20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord , But the blameless in their walk are His delight .
21 Assuredly , the evil man will not go unpunished , But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered .
22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion .
23 The desire of the righteous is only good , But the expectation of the wicked is wrath .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 11:16-23
Commentary on Proverbs 11:16
(Read Proverbs 11:16)
A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:17
(Read Proverbs 11:17)
A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
(Read Proverbs 11:18)
He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:19
(Read Proverbs 11:19)
True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:20
(Read Proverbs 11:20)
Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:21
(Read Proverbs 11:21)
Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:22
(Read Proverbs 11:22)
Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:23
(Read Proverbs 11:23)
The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves.