Proverbs 12:8

8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.

Proverbs 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 12:8

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom
Not according to his birth and pedigree; not according to his riches and wealth; not according to the places of honour and trust he may be in; but according to his wisdom, which he discovers in his words and actions, in his life and conversation: not according to the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish; not according to the wisdom of the world, which comes to nought, either natural or civil; especially that which lies in sophistry and subtlety, in wicked craft and cunning, whereby men trick, overreach, and defraud one another; but according to that which is spiritual and evangelical; which lies in the knowledge of Christ, and of God in Christ, and of those things which belong to salvation; the beginning of which is the fear of the Lord, and which comes from above, and is pure and peaceable. A man possessed of this is commended by all wise and good men, and by the Lord himself; as the wise man is by Christ, ( Matthew 7:24 Matthew 7:25 ) ; who builds his house on a rock; for which reason it stands, as in the preceding verse; but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised;
and which appears by the perverse words he speaks against God and Christ; against his people, ways, and worship, as antichrist and his followers do; and by his perverse actions, which are contrary to the light of nature, to the law of God, and Gospel of Christ: and such vile persons are contemned in the eyes of all good men, and are had in abhorrence by the Lord himself; for such who despise him are lightly esteemed; see ( Proverbs 18:3 ) .

Proverbs 12:8 In-Context

6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

7 The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.

8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.

9 Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.

10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.