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Studies in Proverbs: Laws from Heaven for Life on Earth
Arnot's thoughts on selected texts offer practical instruction and spiritual direction for a Christ-centered life.
584 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 1978
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About the author
William Arnot
95 books1 followerWilliam Arnot (1808–1875) was a Scottish minister and theological writer.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 24, 2014
First of all, this is not primarily a commentary. If that's what you are looking for, this book will likely disappoint you. Each chapter picks one or two verses in Proverbs to focus on leaving the majority of verses with no comment. The verses that are dealt with do not say much in the way of explaining the text, going into the Hebrew or other background information. This is a book that is strong on application and addressing the heart. It is written by a man who knows human nature and who knows God's word and who knows how to use the English language. Over and over again he said things that were thought-provoking and he said things in ways that were striking. Here is a sample of three of my favorite chapters:
Chapter 102 Wisdom Modest, Folly Obtrusive on Proverbs 20:5,6 (Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water: but a man of understanding will draw it out.) "The conversation in a company is often frivolous, although the company is not destitute of solid, well charged minds. When no one has skill to draw out the wisdom of the wise, the folly of the fools will rush out without any drawing, and inundate the circle... One may be as useful to society by drawing counsel out of others as by giving it himself."
Chapter 110 Convenient Food (Proverbs 23:1-3, Put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite). "In this department of practical duty, as in many others, innocence and guilt are not divided from each other by a visible partition wall rising sheer up between them: they meet on each other's margin as the colors of the rainbow meet... The dividing line is not such as to force itself on the notice of those who do not look for it."
Chapter 120 A Time to Frown and a Time to Smile (Proverbs 25:23, The north wind drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue). "A man who has not a frown in reserve cannot turn his smiles to any good account… If you have not a frown on your face wherewith to meet the back biter you cannot have true kindness in your heart towards the innocent man he undermines… You may as well attempt to admit light into a chamber without expelling the darkness, as to retain affection for the good without becoming a terror to the evil."
One weakness of this book is that its exegesis is not always accurate. What he says is almost always good and true, but sometimes the verses he bases his teaching on are not a good foundation for the lesson he is building. But all in all, this is one of my most marked up and favorite books and very, very quotable. It would be great as a devotional since most chapters are between two and four pages long.
Chapter 102 Wisdom Modest, Folly Obtrusive on Proverbs 20:5,6 (Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water: but a man of understanding will draw it out.) "The conversation in a company is often frivolous, although the company is not destitute of solid, well charged minds. When no one has skill to draw out the wisdom of the wise, the folly of the fools will rush out without any drawing, and inundate the circle... One may be as useful to society by drawing counsel out of others as by giving it himself."
Chapter 110 Convenient Food (Proverbs 23:1-3, Put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite). "In this department of practical duty, as in many others, innocence and guilt are not divided from each other by a visible partition wall rising sheer up between them: they meet on each other's margin as the colors of the rainbow meet... The dividing line is not such as to force itself on the notice of those who do not look for it."
Chapter 120 A Time to Frown and a Time to Smile (Proverbs 25:23, The north wind drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue). "A man who has not a frown in reserve cannot turn his smiles to any good account… If you have not a frown on your face wherewith to meet the back biter you cannot have true kindness in your heart towards the innocent man he undermines… You may as well attempt to admit light into a chamber without expelling the darkness, as to retain affection for the good without becoming a terror to the evil."
One weakness of this book is that its exegesis is not always accurate. What he says is almost always good and true, but sometimes the verses he bases his teaching on are not a good foundation for the lesson he is building. But all in all, this is one of my most marked up and favorite books and very, very quotable. It would be great as a devotional since most chapters are between two and four pages long.
May 23, 2019
Every serious Christian should have this book on their shelf and the words in their hearts. Full of solid gold advice that I am already implementing.
To be honest, life saving truths and wonderful, practical advise on how to live is contained there in. A must have!
To be honest, life saving truths and wonderful, practical advise on how to live is contained there in. A must have!
November 14, 2012
I'm looking forward to reading this book out loud as part of our morning Bible reading time together. I've read it to myself a number of years ago. I'm certain there will be plenty of lessons for each of us to learn.
Done with the book. Just as I remembered it ... thoughtful commentary, but not exceptional. Worthy devotional.
Done with the book. Just as I remembered it ... thoughtful commentary, but not exceptional. Worthy devotional.
May 30, 2008
Great book with fantastic insights from the author.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews