Proverbs 13 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Shall eat — Shall receive comfort, and benefit by his wise and profitable discourses.

Keepeth him — From that over — throw which befal sinners.

Maketh rich — Some men who have little or nothing, pretend to have great riches. Maketh rich — Some rich men profess to be poor.

Riches — Riches enable a man to redeem his life when it is in greatest danger, and poverty preserves a man from many injuries. Because they are cautious, that they may not provoke others; and because they are esteemed objects of pity.

The light — The prosperity. Rejoiceth — Shines with a pleasant and constant brightness. Rejoicing is here ascribed to the light, as it is to the sun, Psalms 19:5, metaphorically. Put out — Their felicity shall have a hidden end.

Pride — It is chiefly, pride which blows up the coals of contention. Well — advised — Who are not governed by their passions, but by prudent considerations. Wisdom — Which teaches them to avoid contention.

Vanity — By wicked practices.

Hope deferred — Delays in obtaining what a man passionately desires. The desire — The good desired. A tree of life — It is satisfactory, and reviving.

The word — The word of God.

The law — The instruction, or counsel; as the word law, is frequently understood in scripture.

Giveth — Makes a man acceptable to God. Rough — Offensive and hateful to God and men, as rough ways are to a traveller.

Knowledge — Considerately and discreetly. Layeth open — By his foolish actions.

A messenger — Who is unfaithful in the execution of that which is committed to his charge. Is health — Procures benefit, as to his master, so to himself.

Sweet — Whatsoever men earnestly desire, the enjoyment of it is sweet to them; therefore sinners rejoice in the satisfaction of their sinful lusts, and abhor all restraint of them.

Evil — Punishment proportionable to their sin.

The poor — Poor persons by their diligent labours, and God's blessing often grow rich. Destroyed — Or, consumed, brought to poverty, for want of discretion.

Hateth his son — His fond affection, is as pernicious to him as hatred.