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 12
(Pro. 12:1-28)
loveth knowledge--as the fruit of instruction or training (Pro 1:2).
hateth reproof-- (Pro 10:17).
brutish--stupid, regardless of his own welfare (Psa 49:10; Psa 73:22).
Wickedness cannot give permanent prosperity.
root . . . not be moved--firm as a flourishing tree-- (Psa 1:3; Psa 15:5; Jer 17:8).
A virtuous woman--in the wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties (Pro 31:10).
maketh ashamed--that is, by misconduct.
rottenness--an incurable evil.
thoughts--or, "purposes."
are right--literally, "are judgment," that is, true decisions.
counsels--(Compare Pro 11:14).
deceit--contrary to truth and honesty.
The words--or, "expressed designs" of the wicked are for evil purposes.
the mouth--or, "words" of the righteous delivering instead of ensnaring men.
Such conduct brings a proper return, by the destruction of the wicked and well-being of the righteous and his family.
despised--as opposed to commended (Pro 11:12).
perverse heart--or, "wicked principles," as opposed to one of wisdom.
despised--held in little repute, obscure (Sa1 18:23; Isa 3:5).
hath a servant--implying some means of honest living.
honoureth himself--is self-conceited.
regardeth--literally, "knoweth" (Psa 1:6).
mercies . . . cruel--as acts of compassion ungraciously rendered to the needy. The righteous more regards a beast than the wicked a man.
The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle (Pro 6:32; Pro 7:7).
the wicked . . . evil--They love the crafty arts of deception.
the root . . . fruit--their own resources supply them; or, it may be rendered: "He (God) giveth, or, sets (Eze 17:22) the root of the righteous," and hence it is firm: or, the verb is impersonal; "As to the root . . . it is firm" (Pro 17:19).
The wicked is snared, &c.--The sentiment expanded. While the wicked, such as liars, flatterers, &c., fall by their own words, the righteous are unhurt. Their good conduct makes friends, and God rewards them.
The way . . . eyes--The fool is self-conceited (compare Pro 12:1; Pro 1:32; Pro 10:17; Jam 3:17).
prudent . . . shame--He is slow to denounce his insulters (Jam 1:19).
speaketh--literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (Psa 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives.
tongue . . . health--by soothing and gentle language.
Words of truth are consistent, and stand all tests, while lies are soon discovered and exposed.
that imagine--or, "plan" (Pro 3:29). They design a deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed (compare Mat 5:9; Rom 12:18).
no evil--(as in Psa 91:10), under God's wise limitations (Rom 8:28).
mischief--as penal evil.
deal truly--or, "faithfully," that is, according to promises (compare Joh 3:21).
concealeth--by his modesty (Pro 10:14; Pro 11:13).
heart . . . proclaimeth--as his lips speak his thoughts (compare Ecc 10:3).
slothful--(Compare Margin), so called because he fails to meet his promises.
under tribute--not denoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence.
a good word--one of comfort.
more excellent--(Compare Margin); or, "more successful," while the wicked fail; or, we may read it: "The righteous guides his friend, but," &c., that is, The ability of the righteous to aid others is contrasted with the ruin to which the way of the wicked leads themselves.
(Compare Pro 12:24).
took in hunting--or, "his venison." He does not improve his advantages.
the substance . . . precious--or, "the wealth of a man of honor is being diligent," or "diligence."
precious--literally, "honor" (Ecc 10:1).
(Compare Pro 8:8, Pro 8:20, &c.). A sentiment often stated; here first affirmatively, then negatively.