Proverbs 14 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Buildeth — Maintains and improves her family and estate. Her hands — By her idleness or sin.

A rod — His insolent speeches as they are like a rod, offensive to others, so, they make a rod for their own backs.

The crib — The stable is empty of food for cattle, and much more for man. In the same sense cleanness of teeth is put for famine, Amos 4:6. The strength — By their labours, or by diligence in husbandry, which then was principally managed by oxen.

Findeth it not — Because he doth not seek it aright. That understandeth — That is honest and pious.

His way — Consists not in vain speculations, but in a diligent study of his duty, and of the way to eternal happiness. The folly — The wit of ungodly men, which is really their folly, is employed only in finding out ways of deceiving.

Favour — They find favour both with God and men.

Bitterness — The inward griefs and joys of mens hearts, are not known to any but a man's self.

Right — There are some evil courses which men may think to be lawful and good. The end — The event shews that they were sinful and destructive.

In laughter — The outward signs of joy are often mixed with real sorrow.

In heart — He who departs from God inwardly. Filled — With the fruit of his ways, the punishment of his sins. Satisfied — From the pious temper of his own heart, which cleaves to the Lord, he shall receive unspeakable comfort.

The simple — A foolish man. Looketh — He orders his dealings in the world with due circumspection, not considering so much what other men say as what he ought to do.

Feareth — Trembles at God's judgments when they are either inflicted or threatened. Rageth — Frets against God; or is enraged against his messengers. Confident — Secure and insensible of his danger.

Foolishly — His passion hurries him into foolish speeches and actions. Wicked devices — One who suppresses his passion, but meditates revenge. Hated — Both by God and men.

Inherit — They possess it as their inheritance, holding it fast, and glorying in it. Knowledge — The saving knowledge of God and of their own duty.

The evil — Good men shall have the pre — eminency over the wicked.

Hated — Despised and abandoned.

Despiseth — That does not pity and relieve the poor.

The talk — Idle talking will bring a man to poverty.

Riches — They are a singular advantage and ornament to them. But — As for rich fools, their folly is not cured, but made worse and more manifest by their riches.

Souls — Such as are innocent, from false accusations.

To depart — To preserve men from destructive courses.

Exalteth — Heb. lifteth up, like a banner, makes it known and visible to all men.

A sound heart — Free from envy and inordinate passions. Is life — Procures and maintains the health and vigour of the body.

His maker — Whose image the poor man bears, by whose providence he is made poor, and who hath declared himself to be their protector and avenger.

Driven away — In his death, from God's favour and presence. Death — In his greatest dangers and distresses, yea even in death itself.

Resteth — Is laid up and hid there. In the midst — In the heart. Made known — They will publish in all times and companies.

Shame — Both to himself, by his foolish management of the king's affairs, and to the king who made so foolish a choice of a servant.