18:1 Through desire a man, having {a} separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.

(a) He who loves wisdom will separate himself from all impediments, and give himself wholly to seek it.

18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may {b} reveal itself.

(b) That is, that he may talk licentiously of whatever comes to mind.

18:3 When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also {c} contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

(c) Meaning, such a one as condemns all others.

18:4 The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep {d} waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.

(d) Which can never be drawn empty, but always bring profit.

18:5 [It is] not good to {e} accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

(e) That is, to favour him and support him.

18:8 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the {f} innermost parts of the belly.

(f) They are soon believed and enter most deeply.

18:10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth {g} into it, and is safe.

(g) He shows the refuge of the godly against all trouble.

18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but {h} a wounded spirit who can bear?

(h) The mind can well bear the infirmity of the body, but when the spirit is wounded, it is hard to sustain.

18:16 A man's gift {i} maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

(i) Gets him liberty to speak, and the favour of them that are esteemed.

18:17 {k} [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

(k) He who speaks first, is best heard from the wicked judge, but when his adversary enquires out the matter it turns to his shame.

18:18 The lot {l} causeth contentions to cease, and {m} parteth between the mighty.

(l) If a controversy cannot otherwise be decided, it is best to cast lots to know whose the thing will be.

(m) Appeases their controversy, who are so stout that they cannot otherwise be pacified.

18:19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the {n} bars of a castle.

(n) Which for the strength of it will not bow or yield.

18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that {o} love it shall eat the fruit of it.

(o) By the using the tongue well or evil, comes the fruit of it either good or bad.

18:22 [Whoever] findeth a {p} wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour from the LORD.

(p) He who is joined with a virtuous woman in marriage is blessed by the Lord, as in Pr 19:14.

18:24 A man [that hath] friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer {q} than a brother.

(q) That is, often such are found who are more ready to do pleasure, than he that is more bound by duty.