{"collection":"Bible & Christianity","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bib/cmt/mhcc/pro020.htm","path":"bib/cmt/mhcc/pro020.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/mhcc/pro020.htm","text":"Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible, by Matthew Henry\nIt seems hard to believe that men of the greatest abilities, as well as the ignorant, should render themselves fools and madmen, merely for the taste or excitement produced by strong liquors.\nHow formidable kings are to those who provoke them! how much more foolish then is it to provoke the King of kings!\nTo engage in quarrels is the greatest folly that can be. Yield, and even give up just demands, for peace' sake.\nHe who labours and endures hardship in his seed-time for eternity, will be properly diligent as to his earthly business.\nThough many capable of giving wise counsel are silent, yet something may be drawn from them, which will reward those who obtain it.\nIt is hard to find those that have done, and will do more good than they speak, or care to hear spoken of.\nA good man is not liable to uneasiness in contriving what he shall do, or in reflecting on what he has done, as those who walk in deceit. And his family fare better for his sake.\nIf great men are good men, they may do much good, and prevent very much evil.\nSome can say, Through grace, we are cleaner than we have been; but it was the work of the Holy Spirit.\nSee the various deceits men use, of which the love of money is the root. The Lord will not bless what is thus gotten.\nParents should observe their children, that they may manage them accordingly.\nAll our powers and faculties are from God, and are to be employed for him.\nThose that indulge themselves, may expect to want necessaries, which should have been gotten by honest labour.\nMen use arts to get a good bargain, and to buy cheap; whereas a man ought to be ashamed of a fraud and a lie.\nHe that prefers true knowledge to riches, follows the ways of religion and happiness. If we really believed this truth, the word of God would be valued as it deserves, and the world would lose its tempting influence.\nThose ruin themselves who entangle themselves in rash suretiship. Also those who are in league with abandoned women. Place no confidence in either.\nWealth gotten by fraud may be sweet, for the carnal mind takes pleasure in the success of wicked devices; but it will be bitter in the reflection.\nEspecially we need advice in spiritual warfare. The word and Spirit of God are the best counsellors in every point.\nThose dearly buy their own praise, who put confidence in a man because he speaks fairly.\nAn undutiful child will become very miserable. Never let him expect any peace or comfort.\nAn estate suddenly raised, is often as suddenly ruined.\nWait on the Lord, attend his pleasure, and he will protect thee.\nA bargain made by fraud will prove a losing bargain in the end.\nHow can we form plans, and conduct business, independently of the Lord?\nThe evasions men often use with their own consciences show how false and deceitful man is.\nJustice should crush the wicked, and separate them from the virtuous.\nThe rational soul and conscience are as a lamp within us, which should be used in examining our dispositions and motives with the revealed will of God.\nMercy and truth are the glories of God's throne.\nBoth young and old have their advantages; and let neither despise or envy the other.\nSevere rebukes sometimes do a great deal of good. But such is the corruption of nature, that men are loth to be rebuked for their sins. If God uses severe afflictions, to purify our hearts and fit us for his service, we have cause to be very thankful.","title":"Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible: Proverbs: Proverbs Chapter 20","type":"page"}