Proverbs 29:5

5 A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he's probably planning to take advantage of you.

Proverbs 29:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:5

A man that flattereth his neighbour
That speaks smooth things to him gives him flattering titles, speaks fair to his face, highly commends him on one account or another: spreadeth a net for his feet;
has an idle design upon him, and therefore should be guarded against; his view is to draw him into a snare and make a prey of him; he attacks him on his weak side, and hopes to make some advantage of it to himself; wherefore flatterers should be avoided as pernicious persons; or he spreads a net for his own feet, and is taken in the snare which he had laid for his neighbour; or falls into the pit he dug for him, as Gersom observes; see ( Psalms 140:5 ) ( Hosea 5:1 ) .

Proverbs 29:5 In-Context

3 If you love wisdom, you'll delight your parents, but you'll destroy their trust if you run with whores.

4 A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.

5 A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he's probably planning to take advantage of you.

6 Evil people fall into their own traps; good people run the other way, glad to escape.

7 The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.