Proverbs 14:4–7

PROVERBS CHAPTER 14

V. 4. Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, the manger is empty, that is, he who is too lazy or too indolent to use the proper means for acquiring possessions under God’s blessings will find that he makes no progress in life; but much increase is by the strength of the ox, although it requires work to keep him.

V. 5. A faithful witness will not lie, he will not utter falsehoods to bolster up a weak case; but a false witness will utter lies, will habitually make use of them in gaining his ends. Cp. chap. 12,17; 6, 19.

V.6. A scorner seeketh wisdom and findeth it not, for his mockery of true wisdom, of the truth contained in the Word of God, closes the road of real enlightenment to him, no matter how much superficial culture he seems to possess; but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth, if he is earnestly concerned about knowing the truth of the Word, it is readily given to him.

V. 7. Go from the presence of a foolish man, it being a matter of wisdom for a person to keep his distance from such a one, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge, remembering that lie has never yet uttered a truly sensible word.