Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:2

It is the glory of God that his counsels are unfathomable, and his works, even of creation and providence, so mysterious, that the wisest on earth cannot comprehend their nature, reason, or ends: but it is the honour of kings diligently to search the scriptures, thoroughly to examine intricate causes, and dive into plots and conspiracies, or fully to display the reasons of their actions

Proverbs 25:3

But vulgar minds can no more judge of the secret reasons of statesmen than they can perfectly search and measure the heavens and earth. 4, 5. As silver, when purified from its dross, may be framed into whatever vessels the founder pleases, so kingdoms may be established in the most virtuous and happy forms when wicked persons are removed from the counsels and company of kings. 6, 7. Never ambitiously affect, or thrust thyself into, courts, or any places or stations that belong not to thee; for it will be more honourable and satisfying to be invited to them than to be disgracefully thrust from the honours which thou hast arrogated to thyself, and that in the presence of the prince unto whom thou hast approached too near

Proverbs 25:8-10

Never enter into any contention till thou hast well considered the goodness and weight of thy cause, and how to manage it, lest, in the issue, thou be plunged into perplexity and covered with shame. And, if it be possible, make up matters, privately, even where thy cause is good. And never let anger or hatred provoke thee to discover thy neighbour’s secrets in order to disgrace him, lest such as hear of it not only reproach thee for thy perfidiousness, but even retort upon thee such shameful conduct, which will render thee infamous through life. 11, 12. A wise instruction, advice, reproof, or word of comfort, seasonably and properly given, is comely, valuable, and ornamental: and scarcely can any thing be more ornamental in life than a ready and humble hearkening and submitting to wise and seasonable reproof

Proverbs 25:13

Cold drink or air in harvest is not more grateful and refreshing to the reapers than good servants or ambassadors are to their masters, by their speedy dispatch of the important business committed to them, and faithful report of their success

Proverbs 25:14

It is extremely empty and deceiving to boast of graces, virtues, or abilities, which we have not, or to promise what we cannot or care not to perform

Proverbs 25:15

By patient submission and expectation princes are most readily pacified and persuaded: and humble, soft, and affectionate, language bows the most stiff and hardened tempers, and overcomes even stubborn resolutions to the contrary

Proverbs 25:16

Created comforts and pleasures are very agreeable if used in due moderation; but otherwise they lose their relish, and plunge us into guilt and trouble

Proverbs 25:17

To maintain a friendly intercourse with our neighbours is dutiful and pleasant; but too many, too long or unseasonable, visits render us disagreeable and disliked

Proverbs 25:18

Slander and a bearing false-witness are most dangerous and murderous means of destroying our neighbour

Proverbs 25:19

Confidence in an unfaithful person in the time of trouble will, to our great anguish and grief, entirely disappoint us of help or relief

Proverbs 25:20

As taking away clothes in winter increases our sense of cold, and vinegar irritates nitre, so unseasonable mirth renders a sad heart still more convivial 21, 22. In time of need always render good for evil; and kindly bestow necessary supplies on such as have injured thee: thus shalt thou soften their rage, slay their hatred, and gain their affections; and the Lord shall reward thee with blessings, while he fearfully punishes them if they continue obstinate

Proverbs 25:23

As the north wind in many countries dispels clouds and prevents rain, so frowns and rebukes check reproachful slandering and lying

Proverbs 25:24

It is better to live cooped up in a corner, exposed to all the injuries of the weather, than in a large family and stately palace with a contentious, brawling, and scolding, wife

Proverbs 25:25

Good and certain news from a far country, where our friends and fortunes are, is expected with impatience, heard with delight, and believed and thought on with refreshing pleasure; but especially the gospel, which brings from God the blessed tidings of pardon, peace, grace, and salvation

Proverbs 25:26

When righteous men are decoyed into scandalous sins, or are degraded from their influence and authority, and oppressed and persecuted, it is as hurtful to a church or nation as if the public fountains were corrupted and poisoned

Proverbs 25:27

To hunt after worldly applause and honours, however sweet they be to corrupt nature, is extremely disgraceful and dangerous

Proverbs 25:28

And to be furious and passionate renders us useless and miserable. CHAP: XXVI. Ver. 1. Dignity and authority are very ill placed in the hands of foolish and wicked men, who know not how to use them, but will do mischief to themselves and others by them. 2. Causeless curses and imprecations can hurt the innocent no more than the birds that fly over their heads. 3. Obstinate, stupid, and refractory, sinners, like beasts, must, by sharp punishments, be restrained from evil, and excited to good. 4. Answer not an ignorant impertinent fool in his own brawling and reproachful manner, so as to imitate his impertinence. 5. Answer a proud conceited fool with such strength and evidence of reason as may render him sensible of his folly, and check his pride. 6. He, who employs fools or rakes in any important business, deprives himself of the advantage he might have expected, and brings much inconvenience and mischief upon himself. 7. As dancing or walking by a lame man would but manifest his lameness, so the pretences of fools to wisdom do but render them the more ridiculous. 8. Honour bestowed upon fools is very unstable and useless, if not mischievous. 9. Grave, holy, and wise, sayings, upbraid fools for their impertinence and wickedness, however insensible they may be of the sharpest rebukes. 10. God, and even wise princes, punish sins of ignorance 77 85. and wilful wickedness in a wise, just, and suitable, manner. 11. Foolish sinners quickly, and often shamelessly, return to the very sins for which they have been sharply punished, and of which they have before repented, as grievous and hurtful. 12. There is more hope of the amendment of a sottish man than of one who is so wise and virtuous in his own conceit, that he thinks himself above instruction. 13. They who have no mind to labour, never want pretences for their idleness: and their sluggish fancy represents to them the most improbable and insuperable difficulties. 14. It is almost a toil for such to turn themselves on their bed; and, though they seem busy, they do nothing to the purpose. Though they move in the formal round of external duties, they are never a whit nearer to heaven. 15. Pretending cold, or inability, they can scarcely apply to any work; and it is almost a burden for them to take their meat. 16. But, though they take no pains to acquire knowledge, they look upon themselves as perfect miracles in wisdom, and treat with absolute contempt every argument that can be used to convince them of their mistakes and danger. 17. It is extremely dangerous to engage in other men’s quarrels and disputes, which do not belong to us. 18, 19. To wrong our neighbours, by either word or deed, and then pretend that it was in jest, discovers us to be stupidly insolent and diabolically mad. 20. A proper discouragement of tale-bearers, whisperers, and slanderers, is an effectual mean to prevent contentions, or even to extinguish such as are begun. 21. It is also necessary to avoid contentious persons, who by their provoking language kindle up or indame quarrels, even as one inflamed coal or piece of wood kindles another. 22. The wounds given to men’s characters, business, and spirits, by calumnies slyly and secretly spread, are extremely painful and hurtful, and sometimes will scarcely admit of a cure. 23. Malicious and angry language corresponds very well with an envious and wicked heart; and notwithstanding their fine shew, scarcely any thing is more detestable than affectionate words when used to cover hatred and enmity of heart; nor will the dissimulation pass long undetected. 24—26. Nothing is more common in the world than dissembled professions of regard and affection; and yet nothing more base, and in the end more hurtful and ignominious to the user. 27. They who labour to destroy their neighbours, whether by fraud or violence, involve themselves in the very mischiefs which they had intended for others. 27. They who labour to destroy their neighbours, whether by fraud or violence, involve themselves in the very mischiefs which they had intended for others. 28. Liars and slanderers chiefly hate those whom they have slandered, fearing that they may avenge themselves; and also those who confute their slanders. And flatterers ruin men, by drawing them into proud, rash, and pernicious, courses. 28. Liars and slanderers chiefly hate those whom they have slandered, fearing that they may avenge themselves; and also those who confute their slanders. And flatterers ruin men, by drawing them into proud, rash, and pernicious, courses