Sprueche 11:12

12 Wer seinen Nächsten schändet, ist ein Narr; aber ein verständiger Mann schweigt still.

Sprueche 11:12 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:12

He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour
Not only in his heart, but by giving him opprobrious language; he speaks contemptibly of him, either because he thinks he is wiser than his neighbour, and therefore calls him fool at every turn; as those who are most destitute of wisdom conceit they have the largest share of it, and despise others; or else because he is richer than his neighbour, as the poor is generally despised by the rich; or because he fancies he is holier than he, as the Pharisee who trusts in himself that he is righteous, and despises others: or a man "that wants a heart" ^F11, as it may be rendered; that wants a good one, or wants grace in his heart; he despises the counsel and advice, the admonitions and instructions, which his neighbour gives him for his good; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace:
and will not despise his neighbour, or give him ill language, because he is not so wise, or so rich, or so righteous as he; if he cannot speak any good of him, he will not speak evil of him; or he holds his peace, is silent, and will not answer the man void of wisdom, that despises and reproaches him; he will not render railing for railing; when he is reviled he will revile not again; and by so doing he shows himself to he a man understanding, or of intellects; a wise and prudent.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (bl rox) "carens corde", Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "destitutus est corde", Schultens.

Sprueche 11:12 In-Context

10 Eine Stadt freut sich, wenn's den Gerechten wohl geht; und wenn die Gottlosen umkommen, wird man froh.

11 Durch den Segen der Frommen wird eine Stadt erhoben; aber durch den Mund der Gottlosen wird sie zerbrochen.

12 Wer seinen Nächsten schändet, ist ein Narr; aber ein verständiger Mann schweigt still.

13 Ein Verleumder verrät, was er heimlich weiß; aber wer eines getreuen Herzens ist, verbirgt es.

14 Wo nicht Rat ist, da geht das Volk unter; wo aber viel Ratgeber sind, da geht es wohl zu.