Proverbs 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom. Two opposite views have been taken of this verse. One makes Solomon refer to a pursuit of knowledge and wisdom that is right and commendable; the other regards him as speaking of what is wrong and censurable. Schultens describes the intended character thus: "A self-conceited, hair-brained fool seeks to satisfy his fancy, and intermingleth himself with all things." Parkhurst thus: "The recluse seeks his own pleasure or inclination; he laughs at or derides everything solid or wise." Another thus: "A retired man pursueth the studies he delights in, and hath pleasure in each branch of science." I am disposed to think that our own translation gives the sense. "Through desire" — that is, the desire of knowledge — "a man, having separated himself" — that is, having retired and secluded himself from interruption by the intrusion of companions and the engagements of social life — "seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom." There is a contrast between the character in the first verse and the character in the second verse. The contrast is between the man that loves and pursues knowledge and the man who undervalues and despises it. (R. Wardlaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.WEB: An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. |
    |