Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 18

Through desire a man, having separated himself ...—This should probably be rendered, The separatist seeks after his own desire, against all improvement he shows his teeth. The man of small mind is here described, who will only follow his own narrow aims, who holds himself aloof from men of wider views than his own, and will not join with them in the furtherance of philanthropic or religious plans, but rather opposes them with all his power, as he can see nothing but mischief in them. (For his temper of mind, compare John 7:47-49.)

Intermeddleth.— See above on Proverbs 17:14.

Wisdom. —See above on Proverbs 2:7.

But that his heart may discover itself— i.e., unless his cleverness can be displayed by it; he does not value understanding for its own sake, apart from his own interests.

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt. — Compare to the whole burden of Psalm 106, that sorrow and shame follow sin.

The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters—that is, the words of a “man,” properly so called, are as deep waters which cannot be easily fathomed; they are a copious stream, which flows from a never-failing source; they are a fountain of wisdom which is never exhausted.

His mouth calls for strokes, which he provokes by his insolence and quarrelsomeness.