Proverbs 27 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Boast not — Of any good thing which thou purposeth to do, or hopest to receive tomorrow, or hereafter. Knowest not — What may happen in the space of one day. The day is said to bring forth, what God by his almighty power either causes or suffers to be brought forth or done in it.

Heavier — More grievous, being without cause, without measure, and without end.

Open — When it is needful, in which case, though it put a man to some shame yet it doth him good. Better — More desirable and beneficial. Secret love — Which does not shew itself by friendly actions, and particularly by free and faithful reproof.

Wounds — The sharpest reproofs. Kisses — All the outward profession of friendship.

Wandereth — That flies from place to place, whereby she is exposed to all the arts of fowlers, and to birds of prey. So — So is he who through vanity or lightness changes his abode, or his calling.

Neither go — For comfort and relief, so as to forsake thy friend for him. A neighbour — The friend, who hath shewed himself to be a good neighbour. Near — In affection.

Reproacheth — For being the father of a wicked son.

Blesseth — That praises him to his face. A loud voice — That both he, and others, may be sure to take notice of it. Rising early — To shew his great forwardness. A curse — His friend will value this kind of blessing no more than a curse.

Hideth — Attempts to smother her passion. Right — hand — Which being the great instrument of action, by its much stirring, diffuses the savour of it.

Iron — Iron tools are made sharp and fit for use, by rubbing them against the file, or some other iron. The countenance — The company or conversation of his friend.

So he — That serves him faithfully, prudently, and diligently.

So — So one man resembles another in the corruption of his nature.

Hell — The grave devours all the bodies which are put into it, and is always ready to receive and devour more. The eyes — The desires, which discover themselves by the eyes.

To his praise — Or, according to his praise. So a man is tried by praise.

Flock — Flocks and herds are here put for all possessions, because anciently they were the chief part of a man's riches.

For — What thou dost now possess, will not last always. If a man had the wealth of a kingdom, without care and diligence it would be brought to nothing.

The hay — Another encouragement to diligence; God invites thee to it by the plentiful provisions wherewith he has enriched the earth for thy sake. The mountains — Even the most barren parts afford thee their help.

The price — By the sale whereof thou mayest either pay the rent of the field which thou hirest, or purchase fields or lands. Goats might better be spared and sold than sheep, which brought a more constant profit to the owner.

Goat's milk — Or, if thou chusest rather to keep thy goats, the milk will serve thee for food to thyself and family. In ancient times men used a plain and simple diet.