14 Where there is no direction a people fall

     But where there is no want of counsellors there is safety.

Regarding תּחבּות, vid., at Proverbs 1:5. There it means rules of self-government; here, rules for the government of the people, or, since the pluralet. denotes a multiplicity in unity, circumspect κυβέρνησις. With 14b, Proverbs 24:6 (where direction in war, as here in peace, is spoken of, and the meaning of the word specializes itself accordingly) agrees; cf. also Proverbs 15:22. Hitzig criticises the proverb, remarking, "we who have the longest resorted to many counsellors, as a consequence of the superabundance have learned to say, 'Too many cooks spoil the broth,' and, 'He who asks long, errs.'" But the truth of the clause 14b is in modern times more fully illustrated in the region of ecclesiastical and political affairs; and in general it is found to be true that it is better with a people when they are governed according to the laws and conclusions which have resulted from the careful deliberation of many competent and authorized men, than when their fate is entrusted unconditionally to one or to a few. The proverb, it must be acknowledge, refers not to counsellors such as in Isaiah 3:3, but as in Isaiah 1:26.

Proverbs 11:20 Parallel Commentaries

Proverbs 6:14,16-19 Frowardness is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he sows discord...

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the fraudulent mouth, do I hate.

Psalm 18:25,26 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful; with an upright man you will show yourself upright...

upright

Proverbs 9:7 He that reproves a scorner gets to himself shame: and he that rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blot.

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keeps his way preserves his soul.

Proverbs 21:29 A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs his way.

Psalm 11:7 For the righteous LORD loves righteousness; his countenance does behold the upright.

Psalm 51:6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom.

Psalm 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.