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Selected Verse: Proverbs 14:23 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Pr 14:23 |
King James |
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
labour--painful diligence.
talk . . . penury--idle and vain promises and plans. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
| The contrast between a single, thorough deed, and the mere emptiness of speech. |
| Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
There now follows a considerable series of proverbs (Pro 14:23-31) which, with a single exception (Pro 14:24), have all this in common, that one or two key-words in them begin with מ.
23 In all labour there is gain,
But idle talk leadeth only to loss.
Here the key-words are מותר and מחסור (parallel Pro 21:5, cf. with Pro 11:24), which begin with מ. עצב is labour, and that earnest and unwearied, as at Pro 10:22. If one toils on honestly, then there always results from it something which stands forth above the endeavour as its result and product, vid., at Job 30:11, where it is shown how יתר, from the primary meaning to be stretched out long, acquires the meaning of that which hangs over, shoots over, copiousness, and gain. By the word of the lips, on the contrary, i.e., purposeless and inoperative talk (דּבר שׂפתים as Isa 36:5, cf. Job 11:2), nothing is gained, but on the contrary there is only loss, for by it one only robs both himself and others of time, and wastes strength, which might have been turned to better purpose, to say nothing of the injury that is thereby done to his soul; perhaps also he morally injures, or at least discomposes and wearies others. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| The talk - Idle talking will bring a man to poverty. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| In all labor there is profit - If a man work at his trade, he gains by it; if he cultivate the earth, it will yield an increase; and in proportion as he labors, so will be his profit: but he who talks much labors little. And a man words is seldom a man of deeds. Less talk and more work, is one of our own ancient advices. |
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
5 I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
11 Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.