18 Lying lips conceal hatred, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the mind of the wicked is of little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
23 Doing wrong is like sport to a fool, but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.
24 What the wicked dread will come upon them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the tempest passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so are the lazy to their employers.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. 28 The hope of the righteous ends in gladness, but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, but destruction for evildoers. 30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not remain in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 10:18-32
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.