Proverbs 23 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Ruler — With a great man.

Put a knife — Restrain thine appetite, as if a man stood with a knife at thy throat.

Deceitful — They do not yield thee that satisfaction which thou didst expect from them.

Thine own wisdom — From worldly wisdom, which persuades men to use all possible means to get riches.

Set thine eyes — Look upon it with earnestness and desire. Is not — Which has no solid and settled being. Eagle — Swiftly, strongly, and irrecoverably.

Evil eye — Of the envious or covetous man.

So is he — You are not to judge of him by his words, but by the constant temper of his mind.

Vomit up — When thou perceivest his churlish disposition, his meat will be loathsome to thee. Sweet words — Thy pleasant discourse wherewith thou didst design to delight and profit him.

Of a fool — Cast not away good counsels upon incorrigible sinners.

Enter not — To possess their lands.

Redeemer — Heb. their near kinsman, to whom it belongs to avenge their wrongs, and to recover and maintain their rights.

Shall not die — It is a likely way to prevent his destruction.

My reins — I shall rejoice with all my soul.

An end — An expected and happy end for such as fear God.

Guide — Order the whole course of thine affections and actions. In the way — In God's way.

Buy — Purchase it upon any terms, spare no pains or cost. Truth — The true and saving knowledge of God's will. Sell it not — Do not forsake it for any worldly advantage.

Give me — Solomon here speaks in God's name.

Mixt wine — Either mixed with water, or with other ingredients to make it strong and delicious.

Red — Which was the colour of the best wines in that country. Aright — When it sparkles, and seems to smile upon a man.

Lieth down — To sleep. Sea — In a ship in the midst of the sea.

Sick — I was not sensible of it. Again — At present my condition requires sleep to settle myself, and when I am composed, I purpose to return to my former course.