Proverbs 18:4

"When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace."

Key Reflection

Proverbs 18:4 warns that when wickedness enters a community or an individual's life, it often brings along contempt, shame, and disgrace. This proverb reflects the interconnected nature of moral and social consequences in ancient Hebrew society, where actions had visible and communal repercussions. The verse underscores the idea that maintaining integrity and righteousness is essential to avoiding public scorn and personal dishonor.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

The parallelism of the two clauses is probably one of contrast. If so, the proverb is a comparison between all teaching from without and that of the light within. “The words of a man’s mouth” are dark as the “deep waters” of a pool, or tank (“deep waters” being associated in the Old Testament with the thought of darkness and mystery; compareProverbs 20:5;Psalms 69:2;Ecclesiastes 7:24); but “the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook,” bright and clear. The verse presents a contrast like that ofJeremiah 2:13.

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