Bible Commentary

Proverbs 12:11

Proverbs 12:11

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry (1662–1714) · Public Domain

Note, 1. It is men's wisdom to mind their business and follow an honest

calling, for that is the way, by the blessing of God, to get a

livelihood: He that tills his land, of which he is either the owner or

the occupant, that keeps to his word and is willing to take pains, if

he do not raise an estate by it (what need is there of that?), yet he

shall be satisfied with bread, shall have food convenient for himself

and his family, enough to bear his charges comfortably through the

world. Even the sentence of wrath has this mercy in it, Thou shalt eat

bread, though it be in the sweat of thy face. Cain was denied this,

Gen. iv. 12. Be busy, and that is the true way to be easy. Keep thy

shop and thy shop will keep thee. Thou shalt eat the labour of thy

hands. 2. It is men's folly to neglect their business. Those are void

of understanding that do so, for then they fall in with idle companions

and follow them in their evil courses, and so come to want bread, at

least bread of their own, and make themselves burdensome to others,

eating the bread out of other people's mouths.

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