15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
Proverbs Club Commentary
The fainéant is too lazy to eat.
Hyperbole, but point taken.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Proverbs Club Commentary
Trying to cheer up a despondent person is counterproductive.
Start with listening, prayer, and scripture.
23 These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judging is not good:
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and rich blessing will come on them.
Proverbs Club Commentary
Justice must be blind.
Convicting the guilty is paramount for insuring justice.
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
Proverbs Club Commentary
Alcoholism introduces many chronic issues.
Including:
Woe
Sorrow
Strife
Complaints
Needless Bruises
Bloodshot Eyes
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
Proverbs Club Commentary
Bribes and secret gifts mitigate fury.
