Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. – It is sometimes very obvious within minutes that stricter discipline and more thorough training is necessary. The observer suffers but the child much more when training is deficient!
The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both. – So use them both!
Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. – A different way of saying ‘Don’t be a slugard!’
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts. – Bartering for goods had a distinct advantage!
There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. – Which do you consider more valuable – wealth or knowledge and wisdom?
Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners. – In bygone days clothes were taken as ‘security’ for a loan. I think that this is saying don’t rush into rashly offering security. Make wise business deals.
Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. – Sin (in this case deceit) is pleasurable for a while but turns sour eventually!
Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. – Not only in planning war but throughout life listening to wise advisers is a good principle.
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. – Show gossipers the door! Don’t listen to ‘tales’ which are none of your business!
If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. – This stresses the evil of not horouring your parents. We all know that some parents are ‘rotters’ but even so don’t curse them even if you have to steer clear of them!
An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. – You’ll be more blessed by what you work for and achieve yourself then by being pampered or more sadly by inheritance because of the early death of your benefactor!
Prayer: Please help me to be constant in my seeking and clinging onto wisdom from Your Word, my Father!
As I read it! 