Proverbs
Chapter 10
Second Part: the Proverbs of Solomon
A wise son is his father’s pride; a foolish one is his mother’s sorrow.
Wrongfully acquired treasures hold no value, but living uprightly can save from death.
The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry but he denies satisfaction to the evildoers.
The lazy hand causes poverty; the diligent hand leads to wealth.
The wise man works hard in summer; those who rest during harvest earn criticism.
Blessings upon the head of the righteous! Violence silences the cry of the wicked.
The righteous will be remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked will decay.
The wise of heart is receptive to instruction, while the babbling fool rushes toward ruin.
Whoever acts honorably will walk safely, but those who follow crooked ways will be punished.
A quick wink can cause problems, but a stern rebuke can bring peace.
The mouth of the righteous is a source of life, but violence is hidden in the mouths of evildoers.
Hatred spark disputes, love forgives all offenses.
Wisdom can be found on the lips of the discerning man; the stick is for the fool’s back.
The wise store up knowledge, but the fool’s mouth leads to ruin.
The wealthy man’s wealth is his refuge; the poverty of the poor is their downfall.
The virtuous man’s efforts give him life, while the sins of the evil man ruin him.
Respect for discipline is the path of life; he who ignores correction is doomed.
He who tolerates hatred is hypocritical; he who slanders is a fool.
Sin will not be absent when too many words are spoken; the prudent man controls his tongue.
The upright man’s tongue is pure silver, but the hearts of wicked people have little worth.
The lips of a righteous person feed many, while fools die for lack of sense.
The Lord’s blessing brings riches that no effort can match.
The fool enjoys doing evil, while the wise man values acquiring wisdom.
The wrongdoer will face the evil he feared, while the righteous man will get what he anticipated.
After the storm, the wicked man is no longer seen, but the upright man endures forever.
The lazy man is like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes of his master.
Fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
The hope of the righteous ends in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked are futile.
The ways of the Lord are a fortress for the upright, but for evildoers, they lead only to ruin.
The righteous will never be troubled, but evildoers will not endure on the land.
Wisdom comes from the mouth of the virtuous, but the corrupt tongue will be cut out.
Goodness resides on the lips of the upright, while corruption is in the mouth of the wicked.
Commentaries
Second Collection.
Several sayings are grouped without clear connection, but they likely share a common focus on the life of the righteous—those who act morally and honestly—versus those who act foolishly. The section begins by depicting a parent addressing their child to teach wisdom. It highlights the importance of parental figures during early childhood; this role is still performed with admirable care in some communities and should be increasingly encouraged every day.
Second Collection – Proverbs of Solomon.
The core and oldest part of the book begins with the title “Proverbs of Solomon.” In reality, scholars place this section shortly after the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC). Babylon had already entered Jewish territory, and violence increased daily. During this crisis, a group of wise men compiled a series of sayings and proverbs, some moral and others legislative, aiming to encourage the community and teach that the righteous—those who believe in the Lord and truly love him—will not suffer violence or death. Throughout this section, wisdom calls for conversion and justice, as well as the experience of poverty.
Second Collection.
We can connect this series of proverbs to the theme of ethical and social relationships. Such relationships must be grounded in love that “covers over a multitude of sins” (12), which then takes on various nuances or channels of transmission and dissemination, symbolized by the lips to show that they must be understood in relationships with others. The lips, meaning the mouth, the channel through which a person’s inner self is expressed, should serve truth and justice. That is a way of experiencing love. Chatter is the opposite of lips used for good. The theme of the mouth, lips, and tongue is revisited in verses 31 and following, with the same meaning.
Second Collection.
Ultimately, the great secret of wisdom is respecting the Lord, which ensures a healthy and long life; the opposite is true for those who do not respect him. In the Bible, the quality of life is closely connected to one’s relationship with God. The long ages of the Patriarchs and other significant figures of the Old Testament should be understood through this key insight in verse 27, not literally in terms of numbers. This respect owed to the Lord influences all other attitudes and actions of a person, who is expected to be virtuous at all times.