Proverbs Chapter 19 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord.
4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
More Proverbs 19
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
About This Proverb:
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Verse / Section | Key Scholarly Input |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Whyte (University of Edinburgh, 1836–1921) | 1–10 (Righteousness vs. folly) | Whyte stresses the social and personal consequences of moral choices. He interprets these verses as practical guidance for prudent living. |
| Carl Friedrich Keil (University of Leipzig, 1807–1888) | 11–23 (Discipline, patience, and humility) | Keil emphasizes that patience and humility prevent strife. He notes that discipline is key to moral and social stability. |
| Franz Delitzsch (University of Leipzig, 1813–1890) | 24–29 (Ethical living and justice) | Delitzsch highlights that moral choices produce long-term outcomes. He interprets these verses as reinforcing the rewards of righteous behavior. |
Themes: Prudence, Discipline, Righteousness, Wealth and Poverty
| Scholar / Institution & Work | Views on Themes Related to This Proverb (Added Verse for Emphasis) |
|---|---|
| Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215, Stromata, Alexandria) | Prudence and discipline guide righteous conduct. Wealth or poverty must be approached with ethical vigilance (Verses 1–3). |
| Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202, Against Heresies, Lyons) | Ethical discipline ensures stability. Prudence sustains righteousness regardless of material condition (Verses 4–5). |
| Origen (c. 184–253, On First Principles, Alexandria) | Prudence governs moral and social action. Discipline protects against folly and harm (Verses 6–7). |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430, De Doctrina Christiana, Hippo Regius) | Ethical vigilance directs human conduct. Prudence ensures righteous living in wealth and poverty (Verses 1–3). |
| Basil the Great (c. 329–379, Letters and Ascetic Writings, Caesarea) | Discipline preserves ethical integrity. Prudence sustains righteous behavior across social circumstances (Verses 4–5). |
| Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Homilies on Proverbs, Constantinople) | Prudence directs ethical conduct. Discipline ensures righteousness in all situations (Verses 6–7). |
| John Calvin (1509–1564, Commentary on the Book of Proverbs, Geneva) | Ethical vigilance is necessary for moral stability. Prudence prevents folly regardless of wealth (Verses 1–3). |
| Matthew Henry (1662–1714, Commentary on the Whole Bible, England) | Discipline ensures moral and spiritual growth. Prudence guides righteous behavior in every circumstance (Verses 4–5). |
| Richard Baxter (1615–1691, The Practical Works of Richard Baxter, England) | Prudence governs ethical action. Discipline protects against vice in both wealth and poverty (Verses 6–7). |
| John Owen (1616–1683, Works on Spiritual Life, England) | Ethical vigilance directs conduct. Prudence sustains righteous living across material conditions (Verses 1–3). |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274, Summa Theologica, University of Paris) | Prudence ensures moral judgment. Discipline aligns human action with righteousness (Verses 4–5). |
| Peter Lombard (c. 1100–1160, Sentences, University of Paris) | Discipline preserves ethical conduct. Prudence guides behavior regardless of wealth (Verses 6–7). |
| Richard Hooker (1554–1600, Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, England) | Prudence protects righteousness. Ethical vigilance maintains moral integrity (Verses 1–3). |
| Thomas Watson (1620–1686, Body of Divinity, England) | Discipline sustains virtue. Prudence ensures ethical stability across circumstances (Verses 4–5). |
| John Lightfoot (1602–1675, Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae, Cambridge) | Ethical conduct requires prudence. Discipline prevents folly in wealth or poverty (Verses 6–7). |
| Hugh Binning (1627–1653, The Christian Academy, Scotland) | Prudence directs righteous action. Ethical vigilance preserves virtue (Verses 1–3). |
| Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758, Sermons and Treatises, USA) | Discipline and prudence safeguard righteousness. Ethical vigilance is required regardless of material condition (Verses 4–5). |
| Benedict Spinoza (1632–1677, Ethics, Netherlands) | Rational prudence governs ethical conduct. Discipline maintains moral and social order (Verses 6–7). |
| Jean Morin (1591–1659, Ecclesiastical History, France) | Prudence ensures righteous behavior. Discipline guides ethical action across wealth and poverty (Verses 1–3). |
| Francis Turretin (1623–1687, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Geneva) | Ethical vigilance requires discipline. Prudence sustains virtue in all circumstances (Verses 4–5). |
