Proverbs 15 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Aright — Expressing what he knows prudently and gracefully. Poureth out — Plentifully, continually, and vehemently, as a fountain does waters.

Wholesome — Which utters sound and useful counsels. Tree of life — Is greatly useful to preserve the present life, and to promote the spiritual and eternal life, both of the speaker and hearers. Perverseness — False or corrupt speeches. A breach — Disturbs and wounds the spirits, both of the speaker and hearers.

Revenues — Though he may obtain great revenues, yet they are attended with much trouble.

Disperse — Freely communicate to others what they know.

Sacrifice — All the religious services, yea, the most costly; one kind being put for all the rest. Prayer — The cheapest and meanest services.

Destruction — The place of destruction, of which men know nothing but by Divine revelation.

Foolishness — Wickedness is meat and drink to them.

Afflicted — Of the troubled in mind. Evil — Tedious and uncomfortable. Chearful — Heb. of a good heart.

Trouble — Tumultuous lusts and passions, vexatious cares, and horrors of conscience.

An hedge — As a way hedged up with thorns, troublesome, perplexed, and full of difficulties. Plain — Is easy and pleasant to him, notwithstanding all its difficulties.

Counsel — When men do not seek, or will not receive advice from others.

The answer — By a wise, or good and seasonable answer.

The way — The way a wise man takes to obtain life, is to place his heart, and treasure, and conversation on things above.

The proud — Of the mighty oppressors. The border — The estate, the border being often used, for the land within the borders.

Pleasant — Acceptable to God.

Troubleth — Brings God's curse upon himself and family. Gifts — Bribes given to corrupt judgment. Live — Shall preserve himself and family from ruin.

Studieth — He speaks considerately. The mouth — Not the heart; for he rashly speaks what comes into his mouth, without the direction of his heart or conscience.

A good report — A good name. Fat — Not only chears a man for the present, but gives him such stable comfort as revives his soul, and gives vigour to his body.

The ear — The man that hearkens to that reproof which leads to life, seeks and delights in the company of the wise.

The instruction — Doth instruct men in true wisdom.