Proverbs 10 — Jamieson–Fausset–Brown
10:1
1. wise [and] foolish--as they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom. maketh ... father--or, "gladdens a father." heaviness--or, "grief."
10:2
2. Treasures ... nothing--that is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare Pr 4:17; Mt 6:19). righteousness--especially beneficence (Psa 112:9). death--the greatest of all evils.
10:3
3. (Compare Psa 37:16-20). The last clause is better: "He will repel the greedy desires of the wicked."
10:4
4. slack--literally, "deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare Ho 7:16). maketh rich--(compare Pr 10:22).
10:5
5. son--as Pr 1:8, 10, and often. sleepeth--in indolence, and not for rest. causeth shame--literally, "is base" (compare Pr 14:35; 17:2).
10:6
6. Blessings--literally, "Praises." The last clause is better: "The mouth of the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous devices)" to be executed in due time (Psa 5:9; 10:7; Ro 3:14), and hence has no praises (compare Pr 10:11).
10:7
7. blessed--literally, "for a blessing," or praise. shall rot--literally, "be worm-eaten," useless and disgusting.
10:8
8. wise, c.--(compare Pr 9:8, 9, 16), opposed to prating fool--or, "fool of lips of wicked language." fall--headlong, suddenly.
10:9
9. perverteth his ways--acts deceitfully. known--discovered and punished.
10:10
10. Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one (Pr 6:13; Psa 35:19), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.
10:11
11. a well--or, "source" of good to himself and others (Joh 7:37, 38). On last clause, see on Pr 10:6.
10:12
12. strifes--or, "litigations." covereth--by forgiveness and forbearance.
10:13
13. In the lips ... found--hence, not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool. void of understanding--(Pr 6:32; 7:7).
10:14
14. lay up knowledge--that is, as treasures for good use. mouth ... destruction--or, "as to the mouth," c., destruction is near; they expose themselves to evil by prating.
10:15
15. Both by trusting in "uncertain riches" (1Ti 6:17), or by the evils of poverty (Pr 30:9), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.
10:16
16. The industry of the righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked tempt and lead to sin.
10:17
17. keepeth--observes (Pr 3:18; 4:22). refuseth--or, "turns from reproof," which might direct him aright.
10:18
18. Both vices must one day be known and punished, and hence their folly.
10:19
19. Much speech involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue (Psa 39:1; Jas 1:26).
10:20
20. Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.
10:21
21. Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare Pr 10:11, 17; Ho 4:6).
10:22
22. it maketh, c.--"it" is emphatic. Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (compare Ec 2:21-23; 1Ti 6:9, 10, 17).
10:23
23. Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good.
10:24
24. it--the very thing. The wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.
10:25
25. (Compare Psa 1:4; 37:9, 10, 36). righteous ... foundation--well laid and firm (Mt 7:24, 25).
10:26
26. that is, causes vexation.
10:27
27. (Compare Pr 9:11; Psa 55:23).
10:28
28. gladness--in confidence of realizing it. expectation ... perish--in disappointment.
10:29
29. The way, c.--that is, God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked (Ho 14:9).
10:30
30. (Compare Pr 12:3; Psa 37:9-11; 102:28). earth--or, "land of promise."
10:31
31. bringeth forth--literally, "germinates" as a plant. froward--(Compare Pr 2:12, 14). cut off--as an unproductive plant.
10:32
32. know--regard and provide for (Psa 1:6). frowardness--all kinds of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.