Proverbs 19:8

8 To acquire good sense is to love oneself; to treasure discernment is to prosper.

Proverbs 19:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:8

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul
Wisdom and knowledge in things natural and civil; and especially in things divine, spiritual, and evangelical; particularly he that gets Christ, the Wisdom of God, and a saving knowledge of him; see ( Proverbs 3:13 ) . Or, "he that getteth a heart" F16; a good heart, as the Targum explains it; which is a new heart, and a new spirit; a clean heart and a right spirit; a heart of flesh, a soft, tender, and contrite one, in opposition to a hard heart, a heart of stone: a wise and understanding heart, such an one as Solomon had; a heart to know the Lord, and to fear him; in which his laws are written, the graces of his Spirit are implanted; and in which God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, dwell: he who is desirous of such a he art seeks after it, prays for it, and uses all means to obtain it; and who, through the grace of God; does possess it, as the word signifies; he by all this shows that he has a regard to the good and welfare of his immortal soul; when such, who indulge to ignorance and a wicked heart, wrong and hate their own souls; see ( Proverbs 29:24 ) ; he that keepeth understanding shall find good;
retains the wisdom he has got; holds fast instruction, and keeps it, which is committed to him; abides by the doctrines of the Gospel, and does not depart from them; keeps the ordinances of it, which it is his wisdom and understanding to do; see ( Deuteronomy 4:6 ) ; he finds his account in all this; he finds that which is good, good for him now and hereafter; he finds Christ, and life in him; peace, joy, and comfort in this world: and, in the world to come, glory, honour, and happiness.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 (bl) "cor", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Mercerus

Proverbs 19:8 In-Context

6 Many ask favors of a generous person -to a giver of gifts, everyone is a friend.
7 A poor man's relatives all hate him; even more his friends stay away from him. He may pursue them with entreaties, but they aren't there to be found.
8 To acquire good sense is to love oneself; to treasure discernment is to prosper.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished; whoever breathes out lies will perish.
10 It isn't fitting for a fool to live in luxury, and even less for a slave to govern princes.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.