Proverbs 31:31
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| Overview - Proverbs 31 | |
| 1 | Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance. |
| 6 | The afflicted are to be comforted and defended. |
| 10 | The praise and properties of a good wife. |
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Proverbs 31:31 (King James Version)
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
- of the
- 16 ; 11:30 Psalms 128:2 ; Matthew 7:16 Matthew 7:20 ; Romans 6:21 Romans 6:22 ; Philippians 4:17
- and let
- Mark 14:7-9 ; Acts 9:39 ; Romans 16:1-4 Romans 16:6 Romans 16:12 ; 1 Timothy 5:25 ; Hebrews 6:10 ; Revelation 14:13 The wisdom of all ages, from the highest antiquity, has chosento compress and communicate its lessons in short, compendioussentences, and in poetic language, which were readily conceivedand easily retained, and circulated in society as usefulprinciples, to be unfolded as occasion required. Indeed, suchshort maxims, comprehending much instruction in a few words, andcarrying their own evidence with them, are admirably adapted todirect the conduct, without overburdening the memory, orperplexing the mind with abstract reasonings; and hence thereare, in all countries and in all languages, old proverbs, orcommon sayings, which have great authority and influence on theopinions and actions of mankind. Such maxims, however, wanttheir proper basis, the sanction of a Divine Original; and beinggenerally the mere result of worldly prudence, are oftencalculated to impose on the judgment, and to mislead those whoare directed by them. But the proverbs in this book not onlyare far more ancient than any others extant in the world, andinfinitely surpass all the ethical sayings of the ancient sages;but have also received a Divine imprimatur, and are infalliblerules to direct our conduct in every circumstance of human life.They are so justly founded on the principles of human nature,and so adapted to the permanent interests of man, that theyagree with the manners of every age; and are adapted to everyperiod, condition, or rank in life, however varied in itscomplexion or diversified by circumstance. Kings and subjects,rich and poor, wise and foolish, old and young, fathers andmothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, masters andservants, may here learn their respective duties, and readlessons of instruction for the regulation of their conduct intheir various circumstances; while the most powerful motives,derived from honour, interest, love, fear, natural affection,and piety, are exhibited to inspire an ardent love of wisdom andvirtue, and the greatest detestation of ignorance and vice.These maxims are laid down so clearly, copiously, impressively,and in such variety, that every man who wishes to be instructedmay take what he chooses, and, among multitudes, those which helikes best
- "He is wise," say St. Basil, "not only who hath arrived at a complete habit of wisdom, but who hath made someprogress towards it; nay, who doth as yet but love it, or desireit, and listen to it. Such as these, by reading this book,shall be made wiser; for they shall be instructed in muchdivine, and in no less human learning
- ...It bridles the injurious tongue, corrects the wanton eye, and ties the unjusthand in chains. It persecutes sloth, chastises all absurddesires, teaches prudence, raises man's courage, amd representstemperance and chastity after such a fashion that one cannot buthave them in veneration."