Proverbs 10:8-18

8 The wise in heart will receive the commandments, but he who speaks foolishness shall fall.

9 He that walks in integrity walks securely, but he that perverts his ways shall be broken.

10 He that winks with the eye causes sorrow, and he that speaks foolishness shall fall.

11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked covers violence.

12 Hatred stirs up strifes, but love covers all sins.

13 In the lips of the prudent wisdom is found and is a rod unto the back of him that is void of understanding.

14 Wise men keep knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near unto calamity.

15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the weakness of the poor is their poverty.

16 The work of the righteous is unto life, but the fruit of the wicked is for sin.

17 He is in the way of life that gives heed to chastening, but he that refuses reproof errs.

18 He that hides hatred has lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool.

Proverbs 10:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 10

From this chapter to the "twenty fifth" are various proverbial sentences, without any very apparent connection or coherence with each other; describing righteous and wicked men; setting forth their different temper, conduct, and actions, and the fruits and effects of them. It should be observed, that frequently in the preceding chapters two persons are represented as women; one goes by the name of "Wisdom", the other is called the "foolish" woman and a "harlot"; the former is clearly to be understood of Christ; and the latter, being opposed to him, must be antichrist, the whore of Rome, and mother of harlots: now in the following part of this book two sorts of persons are spoken of; the one as wise, righteous, good and the other as foolish, wicked, &c. who are no other than the followers of Christ and antichrist; which observation is a key to the whole book.