Proverbs 14:30

30 A tranquil heart makes for a healthy body, but jealousy is [like] bone cancer.

Proverbs 14:30 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:30

A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh
A heart made so by the grace of God, in which are sound principles of truth, righteousness, and holiness; these preserve from sin, and so from many diseases; whereby the life of the flesh or body is kept safe and sound, or that is kept in health and vigour; or a "quiet heart" ^F8; a heart free from wrath, anger, and envy, and such like passions and perturbations; this contributes much to the health of the body, and the comfort of life: or a "healing heart", or "spirit" ^F9; that is humane, kind, and friendly; that pities and heals the distresses of others, and makes up differences between persons at variance: such an one is "the life of fleshes" ^F11, as in the original text; or of men, of the same flesh and blood; the life of others, as well as of his own flesh; such an one contributes to the comfortable living of others as well as of himself; but envy the rottenness of the bones;
a man that envies the happiness and prosperity of others, this preys upon his own spirits, and not only wastes his flesh, but weakens and consumes the stronger parts of his body, the bones; it is as a "moth" within him, as the Arabic version: the Targum is,

``as rottenness in wood, so is envy in the bones;''

hence Ovid ^F12 calls it "livor edax", and so Martial ^F13.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (aprm bl) "cor leve", Baynus; "cor lene", Mercerus; "cor lenitatis", Gejerus, so Ben Melech.
F9 "Animus sanans", Junius & Tremellius, so the Tigurine version; "sanator", Gussetius, p. 800.
F11 (Myrvb yyx) "vitae carnium", Montanus; "vita carnium", V. L. Pagninus, Michaelis.
F12 Amorum, l. 1. Eleg. 15. v. 1. & de Remed. Amor. l. 1. in fine.
F13 Epigr. l. 11. Ep. 21.

Proverbs 14:30 In-Context

28 A large population is an honor for a king, but without people a ruler is ruined.

29 A person of great understanding is patient, but a short temper is the height of stupidity.

30 A tranquil heart makes for a healthy body, but jealousy is [like] bone cancer.

31 Whoever oppresses the poor insults his maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors him.

32 A wicked person is thrown down by his own wrongdoing, but even in his death a righteous person has a refuge.