John Gill Commentary Proverbs 11:12

"He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace." — Proverbs 11:12 (ASV)

He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbour Not only in his heart, but by giving him opprobrious language; he speaks contemptibly of him, either because he thinks he is wiser than his neighbour, and therefore calls him fool at every turn; as those who are most destitute of wisdom conceit they have the largest share of it, and despise others; or else because he is richer than his neighbour, as the poor is generally despised by the rich; or because he fancies he is holier than he, as the Pharisee who trusts in himself that he is righteous, and despises others:

or a man "that wants a heart" ^F11 , as it may be rendered; that wants a good one, or wants grace in his heart; he despises the counsel and advice, the admonitions and instructions, which his neighbour gives him for his good;

but a man of understanding holds his peace : and will not despise his neighbour, or give him ill language, because he is not so wise, or so rich, or so righteous as he; if he cannot speak any good of him, he will not speak evil of him; or he holds his peace, is silent, and will not answer the man void of wisdom, that despises and reproaches him; he will not render railing for railing; when he is reviled he will revile not again; and by so doing he shows himself to be a man of understanding, or of intellects; a wise and prudent man.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F11: (bl rox) "carens corde", Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "destitutus est corde", Schultens.