Christianity
Proverbs 11Honest Scales and Generosity
Summary
Proverbs 11 opens by declaring that a false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. The chapter moves through integrity, pride and humility, the blessing that the upright bring to a city, and the harm of gossip and secret-telling. Its most famous paradox concerns generosity: some scatter and yet increase, while others hoard and grow poor. The liberal soul will be made fat, and the one who waters others will be watered too.
Key verse
“The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”
Proverbs 11:25
Themes
- Honesty in Business
- Generosity
- Pride and Humility
- Community
Text
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Islam
Surah Al-Mutaffifin (83): Woe to the DefraudersSurah 83 opens with woe to those who demand full measure from others but give short measure themselves, the same concern for honest weights found in Proverbs 11:1 and 20:10.
Christianity
2 Corinthians 9: Sow BountifullyPaul writes that whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly and whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully (9:6), restating the paradox of Proverbs 11:24 to 25.
Questions about Proverbs 11
What does a false balance mean in Proverbs 11:1?
It refers to rigged scales used to cheat customers in trade. Proverbs treats dishonest business as an offense against God, not merely a private matter.
What does he that watereth shall be watered also himself mean?
Proverbs 11:25 teaches that those who refresh and help others will themselves be refreshed, a principle of reciprocity in generosity.