Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 13:16
Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.
16. dealeth ] Rather, worketh. He works with knowledge, turning it to good account for beauty and profit, as a cunning artificer does with precious metals, Exo 31:4-5, where the Heb. word is the same. This, however, is probably intended by dealeth, A.V. Comp. our use of the words deal, dealer, in connection with trade or traffic.
layeth open ] Rather, spreadeth, A.V. marg., or spreadeth out, R.V. text, exposes it. “When your money is all in copper you may afford to throw it about, but when it is all in gold you have to be cautious.” Horton.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Pro 13:16
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
The wise and the foolish
I. The wise man. He dealeth with knowledge. This implies–
1. That he has knowledge. Knowledge is essential to a wise man. All true knowledge has its foundation in God. There is no knowledge that includes Him not. It implies–
2. That a wise man treats his knowledge wisely. He dealeth with knowledge. A man may have a great deal of knowledge, and no wisdom. Wisdom consists in the right application of knowledge. The wise man so deals with his knowledge as to culture his own nature and promote the real progress of his race. Perfect freedom, says Plato, hath four parts–viz., wisdom, the principle of doing things aright; justice, the principle of doing things equally in public and private; fortitude, the principle of not flying danger, but meeting it; and temperance, the principle of subduing desires, and living moderately.
II. The foolish man. Foolish men show their folly in at least two ways.
1. By talking about things of which they know little or nothing. There are two notable facts in human nature. Empty-minded persons are generally talkative. The thinker, discerning difficulties in every turn, moves cautiously, reverently, and even with hesitation.
2. By attempting things which they are incapable of achieving. The foolish man knows not his aptitudes and inaptitudes. Hence he is seen everywhere, striving to be what he never can be; to do that which he never can accomplish. (D. Thomas, D.D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Dealeth, Heb. acteth, or
doth, manageth all his affairs, with knowledge; considerately and discreetly.
Layeth open his folly, by his heady and foolish actions.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. dealethacts withforesight.
a fool . . . follyforwant of caution.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge,…. In order to get more, and with men of knowledge for the same purpose; all he does is with knowledge and discretion; he does not meddle with things, nor has he to do with persons, he knows nothing of; he both acts and speaks with knowledge, cautiously, wisely, considering well time, place, and persons: and every wise and good man deals with evangelical knowledge, and studies to grow in the knowledge of the Gospel, and the mysteries of it; in the knowledge of Christ, and of God in Christ; the issue of which is life eternal;
but a fool layeth open [his] folly; or “spreads” q it; and exposes it to the view of everyone, by his foolish talk and indiscreet actions.
q “expandit”, Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
16 Every prudent man acteth with understanding;
But a fool spreadeth abroad folly.
Hitzig reads, with the Syr. (but not the Targ.) and Jerome, ( omnia agit ), but contrary to the Hebr. syntax. The is not feeble and useless, but means that he always acts , mit Bedacht [with judgment] ( opp. , inconsulto , Deu 4:42; Deu 19:4), while on the contrary the fool displays folly. Pro 12:23 and Pro 15:2 serve to explain both members of the verse. Bedchtigkeit [judgment] is just knowledge directed to a definite practical end, a clear thought concentrated on a definite point. , he calls out, and , he sputters out, are parallels to . Fleischer: , expandit ( opp. Arab. tawy , intra animum cohibuit ), as a cloth or paper folded or rolled together, cf. Schiller’s
(Note: “ Er breitet es heiter und glnzend aus,
Das zusammengewickelte Leben .”) –
“He spreads out brightly and splendidly
The enveloped life.”
There lies in the word something derisive: as the merchant unrolls and spreads out his wares in order to commend them, so the fool does with his foolery, which he had enveloped, i.e., had the greatest interest to keep concealed within himself – he is puffed up therewith.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
Note, 1. It is wisdom to be cautious. Every prudent discreet man does all with knowledge (considering with himself and consulting with others), acts with deliberation and is upon the reserve, is careful not to meddle with that which he has not some knowledge of, not to launch out into business which he has not acquainted himself with, will not deal with those that he has not some knowledge of, whether they may be confided in. He is still dealing in knowledge, that he may increase the stock he has. 2. It is folly to be rash, as the fool is, who is forward to talk of things he knows nothing of and undertake that which he is no way fit for, and so lays open his folly and makes himself ridiculous. He began to build and was not able to finish.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Character Shows
Verse 16 declares that conduct reveals character. The prudent man acts wisely in accord with knowledge of the matter; but the fool with unrestrained vigor manifests his lack of knowledge or ability, Pro 12:23; Pro 15:2.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.
Pro. 13:16. Dealeth with knowledge, i.e. acteth with foresight. Layeth open, rather spreadeth abroad. Delitzsch Says, There lies in the word something derisive; as the merchant unrolls and spreads out his wares in order to commend them, so the fool deals with his folly.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 13:16
DEALING WITH KNOWLEDGE
For a definition of prudence see Homiletics on chap. Pro. 8:12-13, page 109. Carrying out the thought that prudence is wisdom applied to practice, we remark,
I. That a prudent man deals, or acts with knowledge from a sense of responsibility.
1. In commercial life. No prudent man will engage in any business transaction without first making himself thoroughly acquainted with it in all its bearings. He will, if possible, look far into the future and weigh probabilities and calculate results, so as to secure himself from ultimate loss. He will not deal with the matter at all unless he understands it. This we conceive is dealing with knowledge. And it is the course pursued by every prudent man of business from a sense of responsibility. He feels that he has obligations to fulfil to others and a character to maintain, and therefore he thinks before he acts. A man who values his life at all will not deliberately walk over a precipice, and a prudent man will not go very near the edge, he will know what is the safe distance at which he may walk without even risking the possibility of a false step.
2. As a teacher or leader of others. A man who undertakes the guidance of his fellow-creatures in any way, is especially bound to deal with knowledge. If he is a teacher of youth, and is a prudent man, he will make it his business to know his pupils, to become acquainted with the best methods of imparting instruction and developing their mental and moral powers. He feels that they are in his hands very much as clay in the hands of the potter, and that it depends very much upon him whether they become vessels of honour or of dishonour, and this invests all his dealings with them with a deep sense of responsibility. So with the statesman, the Christian teacher, or any other man who finds himself entrusted with influence over his fellows. Prudence is almost as necessary as goodness and right intentions. A man may have abundance of wealth at his disposal whereby to accomplish some desired end. But if he does not know how to use it, he may as surely miss his aim as if he were poor. So a man may have much spiritual wealth and an earnest desire to use it for the good of others, but if he is not a prudent manif he neglects to acquire a knowledge of the how, and the when, and the where to do it, he may not only fail to realise his desire, but may cause his good to be evil spoken of. And the principle applies to every good man, however limited his sphere or humble his position. It is the special trade of a good man to do good, but he may greatly injure his trade by neglecting to deal with knowledge. What king, says our Lord, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand! (Luk. 14:31). It is implied that this man has a sense of the importance of the undertaking upon which he is about to embark, that he duly estimates the possible loss or gain which may result from it. He may serve as an illustration of what is meant by a prudent man dealing with knowledge in any and every step in life, whether it be apparently great or small, weighty or trivial. For there are no little things in human lifethe greatest issues often hang upon what men ignorantly call trifles.
II. A fool by rash and inconsiderate conduct layeth open or publishes his folly. It is implied by contrasting him with the prudent man who deals with knowledge that he deals without it, that he leaps before he looks and walks in the dark when he might avail himself of a light to guide him. Such conduct arises from a lack of the sense of responsibility. He does not consider what is involved in his failure, how much misery may thus be entailed on himself and others. Every man who does not weigh results proves himself thereby to be a fool.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
He that is wise will not be doing or dealing in anything unless he know what it is wherein he dealeth, and unless he deal so as he knoweth that he should. He knoweth that a man is known by his dealing. He knoweth that others look on his dealing, and therefore he looketh so to it as that they may know him to be wise by it. But a fool will be dealing, although by dealing he uncover his nakedness. The shame of his folly shall be spread abroad as wide as his dealings are heard of.Jermin.
Observes circumstances, and deports himself with discretion; thrusts not himself into unnecessary dangers; carves not a piece of his heart but to those he is well assured of. See an instance of this prudence in Ezra, chap. Pro. 8:22; in Nehemiah, chap. Pro. 2:5. He calls it not the place of Gods worshipsuch an expression might have disgusted the heathen kingbut the place of his fathers sepulchres. In Christ, when He was tried for His life; in Paul, who lived two years at Ephesus, and spake not much against the worship of their great goddess Diana (Act. 23:6; Act. 19:10).Trapp.
Fools might be esteemed half-wise if they had sense enough to keep their folly to themselves.Lawson.
Wide is the sphere for trading with this responsible talent. In the family economy (Jdg. 13:8-12; chap. Pro. 14:1; Pro. 31:27). In the church; in a wise accommodation to circumstances (Gal. 2:2); in the conviction of gainsayers (Tit. 1:9); in forbearing with the prejudices of the weak (Act. 15:22-29); in the exercise of Christian admonition (Rom. 15:14).Bridges.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
16. Dealeth with knowledge Acts with thought, or foresight of what he is about to do.
A fool layeth open Or spreads abroad.
His folly The foolish man does not act with wise consideration, and, therefore, exposes his ignorance. Comp. Pro 12:23; Pro 15:2.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 16. Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 13:16 Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.
Ver. 16. Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge. ] Observes circumstances, and deports himself with discretion; thrusts not himself into unnecessary dangers; carves not a piece of his heart but to those he is well assured of. See an instance of this prudence in Ezra; Ezr 8:22 in Nehemiah, Neh 2:5 he calls it not the place of God’s worship – such an expression that heathen king might have disgusted – but the place of his father’s sepulchres; in Esther, who concealed her stock and kindred till she saw her time; in Christ, when he was tried for his life; in Paul, Act 23:6 ; Act 19:10 who lived two years at Ephesus, and spake not much against the worship of their great goddess Diana. Act 19:35 ; Act 19:37 “The prudent shall keep silence in an evil time.” Amo 5:13 It is not good provoking evil men that are irreformable, nor safe pulling a bear or mad dog by the ear.
But a fool layeth open his folly.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
fool. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Pro 1:7.
folly. Hebrew. ‘evil. See note on Pro 1:7. Illustrations: Balaam (Num 22:29, Num 22:30); Ahasuerus (Est 3:10-15); Herod (Mat 14:7. Mar 6:23).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 13:16
Pro 13:16
“Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth his folly.”
“Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. “The prudent man here is the opposite of a knave.” The `fool’ in Proverbs is nearly always, not the mentally incompetent, but the morally delinquent.
Pro 13:16. Two altogether different kinds of persons: one man works with knowledge; the other shows off his folly. The fool does this because wisdom is too high for him (Pro 24:7). David showed his prudence in the way he dealt with Saul, with his brothers, with Absalom, and with others. I wisdom have made prudence my dwelling and as a result find out knowledge and discretion (Pro 8:12).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
prudent: Pro 12:22, Pro 12:23, Pro 15:2, Pro 21:24, Psa 112:5, Isa 52:13, Mat 10:16, Rom 16:19, 1Co 14:20, Eph 5:17
a fool: 1Sa 25:10, 1Sa 25:11, 1Sa 25:17, 1Sa 25:25, Ecc 10:3
layeth: Heb. spreadeth
Reciprocal: Gen 24:5 – Peradventure 2Ch 10:10 – My little finger Pro 14:33 – General Pro 15:28 – the mouth