A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com
Proverbs Chapter 10
Here begins the second part of the book, Pro. 10:1-22:16, which, with the third, Pro. 22:16-25:28, contains series of proverbs whose sense is complete in one or two verses, and which, having no logical connection, admit of no analysis. The parallelisms of Pro. 10:1-15:33 are mostly antithetic; and those of Pro. 16:1-22:16, synthetic. The evidences of art in the structure are very clear, and indicate, probably, a purpose of facilitating the labor of memorizing. (Pro. 10:1-32)
wise [and] foolish--as they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom.
maketh . . . father--or, "gladdens a father."
heaviness--or, "grief."
Treasures . . . nothing--that is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare Pro 4:17; Mat 6:19).
righteousness--especially beneficence (Psa 112:9).
death--the greatest of all evils.
(Compare Psa 37:16-20). The last clause is better: "He will repel the greedy desires of the wicked."
slack--literally, "deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare Hos 7:16).
maketh rich--(compare Pro 10:22).
son--as Pro 1:8, Pro 1:10, and often.
sleepeth--in indolence, and not for rest.
causeth shame--literally, "is base" (compare Pro 14:35; Pro 17:2).
Blessings--literally, "Praises." The last clause is better: "The mouth of the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous devices)" to be executed in due time (Psa 5:9; Psa 10:7; Rom 3:14), and hence has no praises (compare Pro 10:11).
blessed--literally, "for a blessing," or praise.
shall rot--literally, "be worm-eaten," useless and disgusting.
wise, &c.--(compare Pro 9:8-9, Pro 9:16), opposed to
prating fool--or, "fool of lips of wicked language."
fall--headlong, suddenly.
perverteth his ways--acts deceitfully.
known--discovered and punished.
Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one (Pro 6:13; Psa 35:19), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.
a well--or, "source" of good to himself and others (Joh 7:37-38). On last clause, see on Pro 10:6.
strifes--or, "litigations."
covereth--by forgiveness and forbearance.
In the lips . . . found--hence, not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool.
void of understanding-- (Pro 6:32; Pro 7:7).
lay up knowledge--that is, as treasures for good use.
mouth . . . destruction--or, "as to the mouth," &c., destruction is near; they expose themselves to evil by prating.
Both by trusting in "uncertain riches" (Ti1 6:17), or by the evils of poverty (Pro 30:9), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.
The industry of the righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked tempt and lead to sin.
keepeth--observes (Pro 3:18; Pro 4:22).
refuseth--or, "turns from reproof," which might direct him aright.
Both vices must one day be known and punished, and hence their folly.
Much speech involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue (Psa 39:1; Jam 1:26).
Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.
Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare Pro 10:11, Pro 10:17; Hos 4:6).
it maketh, &c.--"it" is emphatic. Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (compare Ecc 2:21-23; Ti1 6:9-10, Ti1 6:17).
Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good.
it--the very thing. The wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.
(Compare Psa 1:4; Psa 37:9-10, Psa 37:36).
righteous . . . foundation--well laid and firm (Mat 7:24-25).
that is, causes vexation.
(Compare Pro 9:11; Psa 55:23).
gladness--in confidence of realizing it.
expectation . . . perish--in disappointment.
The way, &c.--that is, God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked (Hos 14:9).
(Compare Pro 12:3; Psa 37:9-11; Psa 102:28).
earth--or, "land of promise."
bringeth forth--literally, "germinates" as a plant.
froward--(Compare Pro 2:12, Pro 2:14).
cut off--as an unproductive plant.
know--regard and provide for (Psa 1:6).
frowardness--all kinds of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.