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 15
(Pro. 15:1-33)
soft--tender or gentle.
turneth . . . wrath--from any one.
stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.
useth . . . aright--commends knowledge by its proper use.
poureth out--utters abundantly (Pro 12:23), and so disgusts others.
beholding--watching (compare Pro 5:21; Psa 66:7).
A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
tree of life-- (Pro 3:18; Pro 11:30).
perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language.
breach . . . spirit--(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
(Compare Pro 4:1; Pro 10:17; Pro. 13:1-18).
is prudent--acts discreetly.
treasure--implying utility.
trouble--vexation and affliction.
(Compare Pro 10:20-21).
heart . . . not so--not right, or vain.
The sacrifice [and] prayer--are acts of worship.
way . . . followeth . . . righteousness--denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Psa 50:17; Isa 1:11.
(Compare Pro 10:17).
the way--that in which God would have him to go (Pro 2:13; Psa 119:1).
Hell-- (Psa 16:10).
destruction--or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.
(Compare Pro 9:8).
go unto the wise--to be instructed.
maketh . . . countenance--or, "benefits the countenance."
spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.
(Compare Pro 10:21-22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pro 9:9).
The state of the heart governs the outward condition.
evil--sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.
trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pro 16:18; Ti1 6:6).
dinner--or, "allowance" (Kg2 25:30) --
of herbs--and that the plainest.
and hatred--(compare Pro 10:12, Pro 10:18).
(Compare Pro 14:29; Pro 16:32).
The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a
plain [and open] way--literally, "a highway," by diligence (Sa1 10:7; Psa 1:3).
(Compare Pro 10:1).
walketh uprightly--and so finds his joy (Pro 3:6; Pro 10:23).
Without counsel--or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.
Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.
(Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.
The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Pro 2:22; Pro 12:7).
border--or, "boundary for possessions" (Psa 78:54).
are pleasant words--that is, pleasing to God (Pro 8:8-9).
(Compare Pro 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.
hateth gifts--or, "bribes" (Exo 23:8; Psa 15:5), and is not avaricious.
(Compare Pro 15:14; Pro 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.
far . . . wicked--in His love and favor (Psa 22:11; Psa 119:155).
light of the eyes-- (Pro 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so
good report--or, "doctrine" (Isa 28:9; Isa 53:1),
maketh . . . fat--or, "gives prosperity" (Pro 3:13-17; Pro 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.
(Compare Pro 10:17).
reproof of life--which leads to life.
abideth . . . wise--is numbered among them.
refuseth--or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pro 1:25; Pro 4:15).
despiseth . . . soul--so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.
The fear . . . wisdom--Wisdom instructs in true piety.
before . . . humility--(compare Luk 24:26; Pe1 1:11); opposite (compare Pro 16:18).