What does Proverbs Chapter 19 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Opening sayings preserve their words and attribution. Images and reported speech remain distinct from added interpretation. Future and conditional assertions retain their scope in the closing sayings.

Chapter breakdown

Proverbs 19 prefers simple poor to rich perverse unwise lips. No soul knowledge no good, hasty feet stumble; folly supplants steps and frets against God. Riches make friends, poor loses even previous ones. False witness shall not escape punishment; many honor mighty and gift-giver. Poor brothers hate, friends depart, words-only pursuer gains nothing. Mind possessor loves soul, prudence keeper shall find good. False witness shall be punished, liar perish. Fool delicacies and servant rule over princes are unsuitable. Learning known by patience, passing wrongs glory. King anger lion-roar, cheer grass dew.

Fool son father grief, wrangling wife dripping roof. Parents give house and riches, prudent wife properly Lord’s gift. Sloth brings deep sleep, idle soul shall hunger, not spiritual starvation substituted. Command keeper guards soul, way neglect shall die. Poor mercy lends Lord, He will repay; no heavenly interest, specified abundance or covenant credit added. Chastise son without despair, do not set soul to killing him. Impatient shall suffer damage; when taking away shall add another thing. Hear counsel and instruction for latter wisdom; many heart thoughts, Lord’s will shall stand firm.

Needy man merciful, poor better than liar. Fear unto life and fullness without evil visitation remains speaker’s assertion. Sloth hides hand armpit, will not bring mouthward. Wicked scourging makes fool wiser, wise rebuke teaches discipline. Father affliction and mother expulsion infamous/unhappy. Keep hearing instruction and knowledge. Unjust witness scorns judgment, wicked mouth devours iniquity; judgments prepared scorners and striking hammers fools’ bodies. No lands added to inheritance or everlasting-life reward certified.

The story inside

Opening: Opening sayings preserve their words and attribution. Development: Images and reported speech remain distinct from added interpretation. Conclusion: Future and conditional assertions retain their scope in the closing sayings.

Lessons worth keeping

1
Opening sayings preserve their words and attribution.
2
Images and reported speech remain distinct from added interpretation.
3
Future and conditional assertions retain their scope in the closing sayings.

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 68835–68836
Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips and unwise.
Lines 68866–68867
The learning of a man is known by patience: and his glory is to pass over wrongs.
Lines 68875–68876
House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly from the Lord.
Lines 68884–68885
He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him.
Lines 68896–68897
There are many thoughts in the heart of a man: but the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
Lines 68902–68903
The fear of the Lord is unto life: and he shall abide in the fulness without being visited with evil.