Wesley's Notes on the Bible Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. 17:4 False lips - To false accusations and calumnies, which give him occasion and encouragement to do mischief.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. 17:7 Excellent speech - Discourse of high and excellent things.
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. 17:8 A precious stone - Pleasant and acceptable; and withal dazzles his eyes. Whithersoever - To whomsoever it is presented. But this, as also many of her proverbs, are to be understood of most men, not of all.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. 17:9 Covereth - That conceals as far as he may, other mens faults.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 17:11 Rebellion - Against God. Messenger - Or, a cruel angel, the angel of death, the devil, or some bloody men employed by God to avenge his quarrel.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 17:12 Folly - In the heat of his lust or passion.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. 17:14 Letteth out - By cutting the bank of a river. Leave off - Avoid the occasions, and prevent the beginning of contention.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? 17:16 A price - Opportunities and abilities of getting it. No heart - Neither discretion to discern the worth of wisdom, nor any sincere desire to get it.
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 17:17 Was born - Was sent into the world for this, that he might comfort and relieve his brother in adversity.
A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. 17:18 Friend - Debtor, for whom being his friend, he becomes surety.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. 17:20 No good - Shall not get that advantage which he expects.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. 17:22 Doth good - Even to the body; it contributes much to bodily health and vigour. Drieth - Wastes the marrow of the bones, and the moisture and strength of the body.
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. 17:24 In the face - His wisdom appears even in his looks. The eyes - Minding most, those things which are remotest from him, and least concern him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. 17:26 To strike - Nor to smite magistrates, either with the hand or tongue, for the execution of justice.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
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