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Proverbs 20:1. Strong drink is raging— The first precept in this chapter is against drunkenness, as an enemy to wisdom even in common things, much more in those of everlasting concernment; for that commonly expels out of men's minds all reverence both to God and to others; inclining them to say or do any thing without restraint or discretion. And what unruly passions it excites when the brain is disturbed with it, is universally known. The word המה homeh, here translated raging, includes them all: it signifies that discomposed, unquiet, and restless state of mind, which expresses itself in wild and tumultuous motions. See Bishop Patrick and Schultens.

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Proverbs 20:2. The fear of a king, &c.— Or, The terror of a king is as the roaring of a young lion: he who rageth against him, sinneth, &c. Houbigant renders it, The threatening of a king.

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Proverbs 20:5. Counsel in the heart of man, &c.— There is hardly any thing but may be compassed by wisdom: for though the designs and intentions of another man, especially one who has a deep understanding, are as hard to be founded as waters which lie in the secret caverns of the earth; yet there are persons of such penetration, that they will find means to discover them, and draw them out. Lord Bacon observes, that there are six ways whereby the knowledge of men may be drawn out and disclosed; by their faces and countenances, by words, by deeds, by their nature, by their ends, and by the relations of others. See Adv. of Learn. book 8: chap. 2.

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Proverbs 20:6. Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness— "Most men are ready enough to claim to themselves a large share of virtue and piety; but where is the man of true and undissembled virtue and holiness, who studies rather to be than to seem good?" See Schultens.

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Proverbs 20:8. A king, &c.— The wise man excites monarchs to hear causes in person, as the best means of preventing abuses, and acquiring a true state of their nation. Agreeably to this, we find Herodotus asserting, that kings were originally constituted for this very purpose. This also was Cicero's opinion, and was long before asserted by Hesiod. See Grotius and Calmet.

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Proverbs 20:9. Who can say, I have made my heart clean— If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, says St. John. But here is our comfort, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us form all unrighteousness. Though I be nothing, says St. Paul, 2Co 12:11 yet I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13.

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Proverbs 20:16. And take a pledge of him for a strange woman— And pawn him to foreigners.

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Proverbs 20:17. Bread of deceit— Bread gained by fraud. Houbigant.

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