Albert Barnes

A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.

“He that laboreth - literally, as in the margin, i. e., “The desire of the laborer labors for him” (or, helps him in his work), “for his mouth urges him on.” Hunger of some kind is the spring of all hearty labor.”

A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

“The four verses speak of the same thing, and the well-known opprobrious name, the “man of Belial,” stands at the head as stigmatizing the man who delights in causing the mischief of which they treat. Diggeth up evil - i.”

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

“Omit “if.” Literally, “it (i. e., the hoary head) is found in the way of righteousness,” comes as the reward of righteousness.”

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

“Disposing - Better, the judgment or sentence which depends upon the lot. The lots were thrown into the gathered folds of a robe, and then drawn out. Where everything seemed the merest chance, there the faithful Israelite teacher recognized the guidance of a higher will.”

Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.

“Sacrifices - The feast accompanied the offerings Pro 7:14. Part of the victims were burned upon the altar, the rest was consumed by the worshipper and his friends. The “house full of sacrifices” was therefore one abounding in sumptuous feasts.”

A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

“The “servant,” it must be remembered, was a slave, but (as in such cases as Gen 15:2; 2Sa 16:4) might succeed to the inheritance.”

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

“Wonderful as is the separation of the pure metal from the dross with which it has mingled, there is something yet more wonderful in the divine discipline which purifies the good that lies hid, like a grain of gold, even in rough and common natures…”

A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

“The two clauses describe two phases of the mutual affinities of evil. The evil-doer delights in lies, the liar in bad words.”

He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

“He that is glad at calamities - A temper common at all times as the most hateful form of evil; the Greek ἐπιχαιρεκακία epichairekakia. The sins spoken of in both clauses occur also in Job’s vindication of his integrity Pro 31:13, Pro 31:29.”

Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

“The margin renderings are more literal and give greater emphasis. What is pointed out is not the unfitness of lying lips for the princely-hearted, but the necessity of harmony, in each case, between character and speech.”

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.

“Seeketh love - i. e., Takes the course which leads to his gaining it. He that repeateth a matter - The warning is directed against that which leads a man to dwell with irritating iteration on a past offence instead of burying it in oblivion.”

An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

“The proverb expresses the reverence of the East for the supreme authority of the king. The “cruel messenger” is probably the king’s officer despatched to subdue and punish. The Septuagint renders it: “The Lord will send a pitiless Angel.””

It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

“The large brown bear of Syria, in her rage at the loss of her whelps, was to the Israelites the strongest type of brute ferocity. Compare 2Sa 17:8; 2Ki 2:24.”

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.

“People need to be warned against an unjust acquittal, no less than against unjust condemnation. The word “justifieth” has its forensic sense, “to declare righteous,” to acquit.”

Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?

“More literally: Why is there a price in the hand of a fool? Is it to get wisdom when he has no heart for it? No money will avail without the understanding heart.”

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

“Some take the proverb to describe (as in Pro 18:24) the “friend that sticketh closer than a brother:” and render: At all times, a friend loveth, but in adversity he is born (i. e., becomes) a brother.”

A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

“The words “out of the bosom,” from the fold of the garment, rather than from the bag or girdle in which money was usually carried, possibly point to the stealthiness with which the “gift” (or, bribe) is offered to the judge.”

Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

“Before him - Set straight before his eyes as the mark to which they look. Others, following the Septuagint and Vulgate, interpret the verse, Wisdom is seen in the clear, stedfast look of the wise man as contrasted with the wandering gaze of the fool.”

He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.

“The text and the marginal readings indicate the two chief constructions of this somewhat difficult verse. Other renderings are (1) He who separateth himself from others seeks his own desire, and rushes forward against all wise counsel: a warning against self-will and the self-assertion which…”

A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

“The first verse speaks of the immediate, the others of the remote, results of the “fool’s” temper. First, “contention,” then “strokes” or blows, then “destruction,” and last, “wounds.” Pro 18:8 Wounds - The word so rendered occurs here and in Pro 26:22 only.”

A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.

“What the name of the Lord is to the righteous Pro 18:10, that wealth is to the rich. He flees to it for refuge as to a strong city; but it is so only “in his own conceit” or imagination.”

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

“With the wise and prudent there is no loss of time. “Heart” and “ear” - the mind working within, or gathering from without materials for its thought - are, through this channel or that, ever gaining knowledge.”

The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

“A protest against another fault in judging. Haste is hardly less evil than corruption. “Audi alteram partern “should be the rule of every judge. His neighbor - The other party to the suit “searcheth,” i. e., scrutinizes and detects him.”

Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

“Compare Pro 16:33 note. A tacit appeal to the Divine Judge gave a fairer prospect of a just decision than corruption Pro 18:16 or hasty onesidedness Pro 18:17.”

An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

“The meaning of the first clause is obtained in the King James Version by the insertion of the words in italics, and it seems on the whole to be the best.”