Proverbs 18
KJV
1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Introduction
Proverbs 18
The original here is difficult, and differently understood. 1. Some take it as a rebuke to an affected singularity. When men take a pride in separating themselves from the sentiments and society of others, in contradicting all that has been said before them and advancing new notions of their own, which, though ever so absurd, they are wedded to, it is to gratify a desire or lust of vain-glory, and they are seekers and meddlers with that which does not belong to them. He seeks according to his desire, and intermeddles with every business, pretends to pass a judgment upon every man's matter. He is morose and supercilious. Those generally are so that are opinionative and conceited, and they thus make themselves ridiculous, and are vexatious to others. 2. Our translation seems to take it as an excitement to diligence in the pursuit of wisdom. If we would get knowledge or grace, we must desire it, as that which we need and which will be of great advantage to us, Co1 12:31. We must separate ourselves from all those things which would divert us from or retard us in the pursuit, retire out of the noise of this world's vanities, and then seek and intermeddle with all the means and instructions of wisdom, be willing to take pains and try all the methods of improving ourselves, be acquainted with a variety of opinions, that we may prove all things and hold fast that which is good.
Cross-references: 1Cor 12:31