What does “Boast not thyself of to morrow” mean?

This line warns against proud confidence about the future. You do not know what even one day may bring, so it is foolish to speak as if you control tomorrow. Instead of delaying repentance, obedience, or doing good, you should use today well. It also hints that life is uncertain and in God’s hands. Wise living plans carefully but holds those plans loosely, with humility, knowing that God may allow things you did not expect, both in trouble and in blessing.

Why is open rebuke better than secret love in this passage?

“Open rebuke is better than secret love” means that honest correction, given plainly and in love, is more helpful than silent affection that never speaks up. A real friend will risk hurting your feelings to keep you from greater harm. Quiet love that never warns you when you are wrong may feel kinder in the moment, but it leaves you in danger. The passage links this with “faithful are the wounds of a friend,” showing that painful truth can be a gift, while flattering words can hide real danger.

What are the “faithful wounds of a friend” and “kisses of an enemy”?

The “faithful wounds of a friend” are hard words or correction that come from someone who truly cares about you. They may hurt at first, like a cut, but they are meant to heal and protect your soul. The “kisses of an enemy” are smooth, flattering words or fake kindness that hide harmful intent. They feel pleasant, but they are a trap. This verse teaches you to value honest friends who tell you the truth, and to be wary of people who only flatter and never challenge you.

Why does the passage say no one can stand before envy?

The sayings compare heavy stone and sand with the burden of a fool’s anger, then go further and say no one can stand before envy. Anger and wrath are fierce, but they may pass. Envy is deeper and more stubborn. It grudges another person’s good and can stay in the heart for a long time. Envy pushes people toward harm and division, as seen in many stories of hatred and betrayal. This warning calls you to guard your heart, confess envy, and not feed jealous thoughts.

What does “iron sharpeneth iron” teach about friendship?

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” uses a simple picture from tools. Just as one iron tool can sharpen another, good friends can shape each other’s character. Through honest talk, wise advice, and even loving challenge, friends can make each other clearer in thinking and stronger in faith and conduct. This can also work the other way if tempers are high, so you should choose your close friends carefully and aim to be someone who helps others grow, not stumble.

How is a bird wandering from her nest like a man leaving his place?

A bird that wanders from her nest leaves safety and what belongs to her. In the same way, a person who carelessly leaves their place, calling, or proper duties puts themselves in needless danger. This can point to leaving the care of God’s people, leaving good work unfinished, or seeking an easier path instead of staying where you are meant to serve. The saying warns against restless wandering when you should stay steady, and reminds you that security often lies in faithful, ordinary obedience.

Why is a nearby neighbour said to be better than a brother far off?

The passage urges you not to forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, and then adds that a neighbour nearby is better than a brother far away. In trouble, the one who can reach you quickly and willingly help is of greater use than a relative who is distant, whether by space or by lack of care. This teaches you to value and keep faithful friendships, to be a good neighbour yourself, and not to rely only on family ties when you ignore the people God has placed close to you.

What does it mean that the eyes of man are never satisfied?

When it says the grave is never full and the eyes of man are never satisfied, it is showing how human desire tends to keep wanting more. Just as the grave keeps receiving the dead, the eyes keep looking for new things to enjoy or possess. This warns against a restless, greedy heart that is never content with what God has given. It nudges you toward contentment, gratitude, and seeking deeper, spiritual satisfaction instead of always chasing the next thing your eyes see and your heart craves.

Why does the chapter compare a contentious woman to constant dripping?

The saying about a continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman uses a vivid picture. Dripping that never stops wears on the nerves over time. In the same way, constant arguing, nagging, or strife in a home becomes a great misery. The verse also says trying to hide such a person is like trying to hold back the wind or hide perfume on your hand. It will show itself. The point is to show how damaging ongoing quarrels can be, and to urge peace and self-control.

What do the verses about flocks and goats teach about work and money?

The closing verses tell you to know the state of your flocks and pay attention to your herds, because riches and crowns do not last forever. Using farm life as the picture, it teaches steady care for what God has given you. Grass grows, hay is gathered, lambs provide clothing, goats pay for land and give milk for the household and workers. Instead of trusting in stored wealth or status, you are called to watch your work, provide for those you are responsible for, and remember that God supplies through daily, faithful labour.

Prov.27.1

Proverbs 27:1

KJV

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Do Not Boast about Tomorrow

1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.

4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.