Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 19
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Proverbs 19
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Proverbs 19
"Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool." — Proverbs 19:1 (ASV)
Perverse in his lips— One who distorts the truth; translated “froward” in Proverbs 4:24. That a rich man is here intended appears likely from the parallel passage in Proverbs 28:6.
"Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth." — Proverbs 19:2 (ASV)
Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good. — Ignorance is bad, as well as folly.
He that hasteth with his feet sinneth. — Haste without knowledge misses the mark aimed at. (See above on Proverbs 8:36.)
"The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah." — Proverbs 19:3 (ASV)
The foolishness of man perverts his way.—A man’s own self-will (Proverbs 1:7) overturns his way. Stops his progress, whether in temporal or spiritual matters, and then, instead of blaming himself, his heart frets against the Lord. (Revelation 16:10–11.)
"Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend." — Proverbs 19:4 (ASV)
The poor is separated from his neighbour.— Or, but the feeble, his friend separates himself (from him). It was precisely to counteract these selfish instincts of mankind that the merciful provisions of passages such as Deuteronomy 15:7 and following, and Luke 14:13, were laid upon God’s people.
"All the brethren of the poor do hate him: How much more do his friends go far from him! He pursueth [them with] words, [but] they are gone." — Proverbs 19:7 (ASV)
He pursues them with words, yet they are lacking for him—The first half of a verse has apparently dropped out here. The sense may be, that the poor man hunts after words—that is, seeks to get promises of help from his friends, and these end in nothing—mere talk.
Jump to: