What does Proverbs Chapter 12 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Opening comparisons and commands retain the chapter’s wording. The speaker’s examples and future assertions remain attributed. Closing sayings are preserved without added events or universal guarantees.

Chapter breakdown

Proverbs 12 contrasts correction-loving knowledge with reproof-hating foolishness. Good people shall draw grace; trusting own devices does wickedly. Wickedness shall not strengthen, just root shall not move. Diligent woman is husband’s crown, shameful acts bone rottenness. Just thoughts are judgments, wicked counsels deceit; wicked words ambush blood, just mouth shall deliver. Turn wicked and they shall cease; just house stands firm. Learning shall make a man known, vanity exposed to contempt. Poor self-provider is better than glorious bread-lacker.

The just regards beasts’ lives, wicked bowels cruel. Land tilling shall satisfy bread, idle pursuit foolish. Both entries numbered 12:12 are retained: wine time leaves reproach in strong holds; wicked desire is evil men’s fortification while just root shall prosper. Lip sins bring ruin near, just shall escape distress; mouth fruit shall fill with good and hand work be repaid. A fool’s own way seems right, wise hear counsel. Fool displays anger immediately, injury-dissembling person wise.

Speaking what one knows shows justice, lying makes deceitful witness. A promiser is pricked like conscience’s sword, wise tongue health; truth lip shall stand forever, hasty witness forms lying tongue. Evil thinkers have deceit, peace counsel joy; whatever befalls the just shall not sadden, wicked shall fill with mischief. Lying lips are abominable, faithful dealings please God. Cautious person conceals knowledge, fool heart publishes folly. Valiant hand shall rule, slothful under tribute. Grief shall lower heart, good word make glad; neglecting loss for friend is just, wicked way deceives. Deceitful shall not gain, just substance precious gold. Justice’s path is life and byway death. Grief and wise-tongue imagery do not become clinical anxiety treatment, and tribute is not newly specified forced labor.

The story inside

Opening: Opening comparisons and commands retain the chapter’s wording. Development: The speaker’s examples and future assertions remain attributed. Conclusion: Closing sayings are preserved without added events or universal guarantees.

Lessons worth keeping

1
Opening comparisons and commands retain the chapter’s wording.
2
The speaker’s examples and future assertions remain attributed.
3
Closing sayings are preserved without added events or universal guarantees.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 68180–68188
12:1. He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof, is foolish. 12:2. He that is good, shall draw grace from the Lord: but he that trusteth in his own devices, doth wickedly. 12:3. Man shall not be strengthened by wickedness: and the root of the just shall not be moved.
Lines 68199–68206
shall stand firm. 12:8. A man shall be known by his learning: but he that is vain and foolish, shall be exposed to contempt. 12:9. Better is the poor man that provideth for himself, than he that is glorious and wanteth bread.
Lines 68254–68267
12:25. Grief in the heart of a man shall bring him low, but with a good word he shall be made glad. 12:26. He that neglecteth a loss for the sake of a friend, is just: but the way of the wicked shall deceive them. 12:27. The deceitful man shall not find gain: but the substance of a just man shall be precious gold. 12:28. In the path of justice is life: but the bye-way leadeth to death.