21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him;
for his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man devises mischief.
His speech is like a scorching fire. 28 A perverse man stirs up strife.
A whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor,
and leads him in a way that is not good. 30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory.
It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from Yahweh.
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.