United Commentaries

Pr.12.4

Elsewhere in Proverbs a crown symbolizes wealth (14:24), long life (16:31), and grandchildren (17:6).

cancer (literally rot): A disgraceful wife is a deep and life-threatening problem.

Pr.12.7

The wicked might prosper momentarily, but they do not last. The family of the godly stands firm for generations.

Pr.12.8

To be sensible means to act only after reflecting on the consequences. A warped mind acts on impulse.

Pr.12.9

Reality is more important than appearance.

Pr.12.11

This proverb is repeated but with a different conclusion in 28:19.

Pr.12.12

The instability of thieves can produce violent behavior at any moment. By contrast, the godly are well rooted: Their relationships are stable even under duress.

Pr.12.15

Fools fail to realize what the wise know—that listening is the way to learn.

Pr.12.16

Keeping a level head allows a wise person to think clearly and avoid reactions that could cause a fight.

Pr.12.17

The message of this proverb is repeated in 14:5.