21 The wise in heart will be called understanding , And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness .
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly .
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips .
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb e , Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones .
25 There is a way which seems right to a man , But its end is the way of death .
26 A worker's appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil , While his words are like scorching fire . 28 A perverse man spreads strife , And a slanderer separates intimate friends .
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good . 30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things ; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass .
31 A gray head is a crown of glory ; It is found in the way of righteousness .
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty , And he who rules his spirit , than he who captures a city .
33 The lot is cast into the lap , But its every decision is from the Lord .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 16:21-33
Commentary on Proverbs 16:21
(Read Proverbs 16:21)
The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:22
(Read Proverbs 16:22)
As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:23
(Read Proverbs 16:23)
The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:24
(Read Proverbs 16:24)
The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:25
(Read Proverbs 16:25)
This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:26
(Read Proverbs 16:26)
We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:27-28
(Read Proverbs 16:27-28)
Ungodly men bestow more pains to do mischief than would be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a hateful, but how common a character!
Commentary on Proverbs 16:29-30
(Read Proverbs 16:29-30)
Some do all the mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:31
(Read Proverbs 16:31)
Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:32
(Read Proverbs 16:32)
To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:33
(Read Proverbs 16:33)
All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.