Proverbs 10 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Of wickedness — Such as are got by any sort of wicked practices. Death — Often from temporal, and always from eternal death.

Gathereth — The fruits of his field. In summer — In harvest. He that improved the opportunities of doing good to himself and others.

Violence — Their own violence or injustice. This may be an allusion to the ancient custom of covering the mouths and faces of condemned malefactors.

Who receive — Is ready to hear and obey the precepts of God and men. Fall — Into mischief.

Surely — Or, securely, or confidently, as the word properly signifies; quietly resting upon God's favour and gracious providence for his protections. Known — His wickedness shall be publickly discovered.

Winketh — That secretly designs mischief against others, as this phrase is used, Psalms 35:19.

Wisdom — This wisdom shews itself in his speech. A rod — Rebukes from God and men.

Lay up — In their minds, to be brought forth upon fit occasions. Knowledge — Whereby they may be enabled to speak both what, and when it is seasonable. But — Fools are more forward to lay out than to lay up, and for want of knowledge speak much and foolishly, whereby they frequently bring destruction upon themselves.

Wealth — It often redeems him from dangers and calamities. Poverty — Is the cause of their ruin.

The labour — The fruit of his labour, to the preservation of this life, and obtaining eternal life. Fruit — The fruit of all their labour tends to sin, and serves only for fuel to mens pride and luxury.

Lying lips — With flattering words. He here condemns two opposite vices, secret hatred, and manifest slander.

Is — Of great worth and use. Heart — And consequently the tongue.

Feed — By their wise discourses and counsels. Die — They have not wisdom to preserve themselves, much less to feed others.

So — Unserviceable and vexatious.

Gladness — Shall be accomplished, and turned into enjoyment.

The way — The way of God's precepts. Strength — Gives strength, support, and protection.

Never be removed — They shall live happily here, and eternally in heaven. The earth — They shall not have so much as a quiet abode upon earth; much less shall they have any possession in heaven.

The lips — Knowledge is here ascribed to the lips, as it is to the hands, Psalms 78:72, because they are conducted by knowledge and wisdom. Acceptable — What is truly worthy of acceptation.