Tyndale Open Study NotesProverbs 12

• In other parts of Proverbs, a crown represents:

  • Wealth (Proverbs 14:24)

  • Long life (Proverbs 16:31)

  • Grandchildren (17:6)

• decay (literally rot): A disgraceful wife is a serious and life-threatening issue.

The wicked may succeed for a short time, but they do not endure. The family of the righteous remains strong for generations.

Being sensible means thinking about the consequences before acting. A warped mind acts without thinking.

What is real matters more than how things look.

This proverb is repeated with a different ending in Proverbs 28:19.

Thieves can become violent at any time due to their instability. In contrast, godly people are well-grounded, and their relationships remain stable even in tough times.

Fools do not understand what wise people know: listening is the key to learning.

Staying calm helps a wise person think clearly and avoid actions that might start a fight.

This proverb's message is also in Proverbs 14:5.