Spreuken 11:12

12 Die verstandeloos is, veracht zijn naaste; maar een man van groot verstand zwijgt stil.

Spreuken 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.

Spreuken 11:12 In-Context

10 Een stad springt op van vreugde over het welvaren der rechtvaardigen; en als de goddelozen vergaan, is er gejuich.

11 Door den zegen der oprechten wordt een stad verheven; maar door den mond der goddelozen wordt zij verbroken.

12 Die verstandeloos is, veracht zijn naaste; maar een man van groot verstand zwijgt stil.

13 Die als een achterklapper wandelt, openbaart het heimelijke; maar die getrouw is van geest, bedekt de zaak.

14 Als er geen wijze raadslagen zijn, vervalt het volk; maar de behoudenis is in de veelheid der raadslieden.