Proverbs Chapter 12 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
More Proverbs 12
9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
About This Proverb:
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Verse / Section | Key Scholarly Input |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Friedrich Keil (University of Leipzig, 1807–1888) | 1–12 (Discipline, diligence, work ethic) | Keil emphasizes diligence and moral discipline as key virtues. He interprets these proverbs as practical guidance for everyday life. |
| Franz Delitzsch (University of Leipzig, 1813–1890) | 13–22 (Speech, honesty, and social behavior) | Delitzsch stresses that careful speech and truthfulness reflect inner righteousness. He notes the societal and spiritual consequences of ethical versus wicked conduct. |
| Robert Jamieson (University of Edinburgh, 1802–1880) | 23–28 (Consequences of actions) | Jamieson highlights the outcomes of righteous versus wicked behavior. He interprets these verses as practical tools for moral and social instruction. |
| Crawford Howell Toy (Harvard University, 1836–1919) | 1–28 | Toy emphasizes the universal applicability of these lessons. He notes that the guidance is relevant to personal moral education. |
Themes: Righteousness, Work Ethic, Speech, and Wisdom
| Scholar / Institution & Work | Views on Themes Related to This Proverb (Added Verse for Emphasis) |
|---|---|
| Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215, Stromata, Alexandria) | Work diligently and speak wisely to demonstrate righteousness. Moral vigilance preserves integrity (Verses 1–2). |
| Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202, Against Heresies, Lyons) | Ethical work reflects spiritual and practical wisdom. Speech and conduct demonstrate moral alignment (Verses 4–5). |
| Origen (c. 184–253, On First Principles, Alexandria) | Righteous conduct requires diligence and prudence. Wise speech protects both moral and social standing (Verses 6–7). |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430, De Doctrina Christiana, Hippo Regius) | Ethical labor and prudent speech cultivate virtue. Righteousness is reflected in daily conduct (Verses 1–2). |
| Basil the Great (c. 329–379, Letters and Ascetic Writings, Caesarea) | Diligent work sustains moral and spiritual well-being. Wise speech avoids folly and preserves virtue (Verses 4–5). |
| Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Homilies on Proverbs, Constantinople) | Work ethic reflects righteousness. Speech aligned with wisdom preserves moral order (Verses 6–7). |
| John Calvin (1509–1564, Commentary on the Book of Proverbs, Geneva) | Prudence in work and speech cultivates ethical and spiritual stability. Vigilance ensures righteous living (Verses 1–2). |
| Matthew Henry (1662–1714, Commentary on the Whole Bible, England) | Ethical diligence and wise speech maintain virtue. Moral reflection guides conduct (Verses 4–5). |
| Richard Baxter (1615–1691, The Practical Works of Richard Baxter, England) | Righteousness requires effort and prudence. Speech reflects inner moral integrity (Verses 6–7). |
| John Owen (1616–1683, Works on Spiritual Life, England) | Moral vigilance is essential in action and speech. Ethical conduct preserves integrity (Verses 1–2). |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274, Summa Theologica, University of Paris) | Work and speech must reflect virtue. Prudence directs ethical living (Verses 4–5). |
| Peter Lombard (c. 1100–1160, Sentences, University of Paris) | Righteous behavior manifests in diligence and wise communication. Ethical vigilance prevents folly (Verses 6–7). |
| Richard Hooker (1554–1600, Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, England) | Diligence and prudence produce ethical outcomes. Speech aligned with wisdom maintains moral order (Verses 1–2). |
| Thomas Watson (1620–1686, Body of Divinity, England) | Work ethic and careful speech are essential to virtue. Ethical vigilance preserves integrity (Verses 4–5). |
| John Lightfoot (1602–1675, Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae, Cambridge) | Righteousness emerges through work and prudence. Moral reflection protects against folly (Verses 6–7). |
| Hugh Binning (1627–1653, The Christian Academy, Scotland) | Ethical diligence supports moral and spiritual life. Speech guided by wisdom sustains virtue (Verses 1–2). |
| Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758, Sermons and Treatises, USA) | Diligence and prudence safeguard righteousness. Ethical speech maintains moral integrity (Verses 4–5). |
| Benedict Spinoza (1632–1677, Ethics, Netherlands) | Rational attention to work and speech cultivates virtue. Prudence ensures ethical and social stability (Verses 6–7). |
| Jean Morin (1591–1659, Ecclesiastical History, France) | Diligence in work demonstrates moral responsibility. Speech aligned with wisdom prevents folly (Verses 1–2). |
| Francis Turretin (1623–1687, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Geneva) | Prudence in work and speech protects virtue. Ethical vigilance ensures righteousness (Verses 4–5). |
