Pro 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Some people would be happy to acquire knowledge if it did not necessitate the receiving of instruction, correction, and reproof (see 2 Tim. 3:16). To lack regret for past failure, to have no willingness to reform, and to cherish no high aspirations for the future is to be like the beasts of the field, which cannot develop character and have no soul to save (see 2 Peter 2:12).
Pro 12:2 Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. The meaning here is to be found by comparison with the type of wickedness described in the second part of the verse. The favor of the Lord is gained by men who are straightforward and honest in their dealings.
Pro 12:3 No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
Pro 12:4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
In Solomon’s day, parents guided their children in the selection of mates. Today, young people insist upon making their own choice. The facts here stated should be thoughtfully and prayerfully contemplated early enough to save from thoughtless choosing and lifelong regret. A weak, gossiping, immodest, or wasteful woman saps the initiative and determination of her husband.
Pro 12:5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. Literally, “are judgments,” or “justice.” The righteous are good through and through, and their inner motives inspire them to do good to others. Their conscience within them acts as a judge and passes upon all the thoughts and impulses that spring into consciousness.
The conscience is increasingly controlled by the promptings of the Holy Spirit as the individual moves nearer to the goal of Christlikeness (see Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:27).
In contrast with the inner goodness that motivates the upright, the wicked are a source of unsound counsels that deceive and injure those who heed them. The good way is the only way of happiness and true success (see Prov. 14:12; John 14:6).
Pro 12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
Verse 5 contrasted the thoughts of the righteous with the counsels of the wicked. This verse deals with the expressed thoughts of each. The words of the wicked cause sorrow and death by their deceptiveness. Their false accusations and slanders stir up enmity. The upright use their eloquence and wisdom to enlighten, to defend, and to win friends for the innocent, whose blood the wicked seek (see 1 Kings 21:1–24; 2 Kings 4:1–7).
Pro 12:7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. The righteous man builds his house upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and his expectations are sure (Matt. 7:24–27). Possessing the Saviour, he has eternal life (1 John 5:11, 12) He may fall; yea, he may fall seven times over, but he rises up again (Prov. 24:16).
Pro 12:8 A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised. There is nothing that brings more lasting commendation than wisdom and discretion. Men who can always be depended upon, men whose actions are governed by intelligence and high principles (see 1 Sam. 18:5), are always in demand.
The vein and senseless man, the man who takes a distorted view of life and people, the man who twists and turns, is despised by all who see him as he is, even by those who use him for their own ends. Judas was such a one (Matt. 27:3–8; Acts 1:16–20).
Pro 12:9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
A man who has a servant to work for him and to grow wheat for bread, even though lightly esteemed, is better than the boastful man who is hungry.
Pro 12:10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
God has a tender regard for the animals He has made. Their undeserved sufferings do not go unnoticed (Jonah 4:11; Matt. 6:26; 10:29). The instructions of the law included regulations regarding the treatment of the lower animals (Ex. 23:4, 5; Deut. 25:4). The adversary of men has done much to aggravate the sufferings of man and beast. Those who take him as master become cruel, and their selfishness blinds them to the real needs of others.
Pro 12:11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
A desire to better one’s condition is good quality, but to neglect pesent tasks to follow a dream is folly. To do with might what the hand finds to do supplies daily food and leaves one time to pursue other worthwhile aims and to prepare for higher service.
Pro 12:12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
The wicked man gets himself entangled in the lies that he tells, and there is no one to get him out. The righteous man gets into difficulties through the attacks of his enemies, but his honesty and the overruling power of God bring him out of his troubles (see Ps. 37:39, 40; 2 Peter 2:9).
Pro 12:14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
The righteous is rewarded for both his good speech and the work of his hands
Pro 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
Pro 12:16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
The foolish man has failed to train himself in self-control. If he is vexed by insult or fancied slight, he gives immediate expression to his hurt feelings.
The wise man realizes that such action will probably aggravate the trouble, so he waits until tempers have cooled before he seeks to right the wrong; or he may ignore it completely (see Prov. 20:22; 24:29; Matt. 5:39; Luke 6:35).
Pro 12:17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. Literally, “breathes out truth.” Perhaps a reference to the confirmed habit of speaking truth, that is, a man speaks truth as naturally as he breathes.
The one with such a trait of character is governed by the dictates of right. It is for this reason that Christians need have no hesitation in taking the judicial oath.
On the contrary, the habitual prevaricator, liar does not tell the truth even when he swears to do so. His habit of suppressing part of the truth, or coloring it until it gives an impression that is really a lie, will soon show the observant listener that no credence can be placed in his word (see ch. 14:5, 25).
Pro 12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
he simile is particularly striking in Hebrew, since the edge of a sword is called its mouth. The hasty, impatient mouth speaks words that wound the hearts of friends and lead to great suffering and sorrow. Tactless words often prick the tender hearts of those who mourn or are in difficulty, but the wise man knows what to say to comfort the sorrowing, soothe the angry, and cheer the despondent (see ch. 10:11).
Pro 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
The Hebrew probably means, “while I wink the eye.” The reign of evil is but for a moment. The truth of God cannot be overthrown. Even human truth can stand every sort of investigation without fear. But lies are soon found out and exposed, if not in this life, in the judgment to come. Even the great deception of Satan will be finally and utterly laid bare before the universe at the end of the millennium (Rev. 20:1–10).
Pro 12:20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
Pro 12:21 No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
Probably in the sense that the harm that comes to the just man is turned into a blessing by the intervention of God (see Rom. 8:28). Compare Prov. 10:31, 32; 12:19; 13:5; 16:13; 17:7; James 3:5, 6; Rev. Pro 12:22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
Pro 12:23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
Pro 12:24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Laziness brings poverty and discomfort instead of promised pleasure. Diligent men, who use their time wisely, are sure to rise above those who are indolent.
Pro 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Literally, “care,” “anxiety.” An anxious heart cannot be Pro 12:20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
Pro 12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. The way of the wicked man is dark and deceitful, so that he himself is being led toward destruction and is unable to guide anyone else aright (see Matt. 15:14).
Pro 12:27 The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
Pro 12:28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
To choose the way of holiness is to choose life as much today as when Solomon uttered these words, or when Israel faced the choice at Gerizim and Ebal (see Deut. 27; 28; 30:15–20; Matt. 19:17