Proverbs 14:30
Read Proverbs 14:30 Using Other Translations
What does Proverbs 14:30 mean?
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.
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.
