Proverbs 12:17

“[He that] speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness, etc.] He that “blows” or “breathes out truth”f341, as the word signifies; that utters it freely and fully without any hesitation; that speaks nothing but truth, and speaks out the whole truth without any reserve; such a man upon every occasion will declare that which is just and right, and show himself to be an honest and upright man; he that uses himself to speak truth in common conversation, will, in a court of judicature, whether upon his oath or not, testify that which is just and the real matter of fact; there is a connection between truth and righteousness, for though they are distinct things they go together, what is true is just,…”

“The thought which lies below the surface is that of the inseparable union between truth and justice. The end does not justify the means, and only he who breathes and utters truth makes the righteous cause clear. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Deceit - He who uses himself to lying in his common talk, will use falsehood and deceit in judgment. Proverbs 12:18”

“12:17 The message of this proverb is repeated in 14:5.”

“that: Pro 14:5, Pro 14:25; Sa1 22:14, Sa1 22:15 but: Pro 6:19, Pro 19:5, Pro 19:28, Pro 21:28, Pro 24:28; Mat 15:19, Mat 26:59; Act 6:13; Pe1 3:16 Proverbs 12:18”

“Most of the remaining parables of this section refer to the right use and the abuse of the tongue. 17 He that breathes the love of truth, utters that which is right; But a lying tongue, deceit This verse is similar in meaning to Pro 14:5 (where 5b = Pro 6:19); the second line of the distich = Pro 14:25. Everywhere else יפיח כּזבים stand together, only here יפיח is joined to אמוּנה; vid., regarding this יפיח forming an attributive clause, and then employed as an adjective, but with distinct verbal force, at Pro 6:19. Viewed superficially, the proverb appears tautological; it is not so, however, but places in causal connection the internal character of men and their utterances: whoever…”