Verse 7. This warning against self-confidence is closely connected with the preceding verse. _The wise in his own eyes_ is he that _leans to his own understanding_. How striking is this connection between the fear of the Lord and the fear of sin (ch. xiv. 27; xvi. 6. Gen. xxxix. 9-10; Neh. v. 15).--_Bridges._ Get all the wisdom thou canst. That is the very burden of these Proverbs. But as thou gettest it if thou seemest wise, be sure that thou art weighed down with folly. Gabriel, who has never sinned, is foolish because he knows not the end from the beginning, and we are foolish from a further cause, that our wisdom has remains with it that are corrupt.--_Miller._ The greatest hindrance to all true wisdom is the thought that we have already attained it.--_Plumptre._ Fear God, and fear evil; fear God to go to Him, fear evil to depart from it. The wings of fear to carry thee to God are love and care, the wings of fear to carry thee from evil are shame and sorrow.--_Jermin._ Verse 8. The constant, steadfast, self-diffident operation of the religious principle is beneficial alike to _body_ and _soul_. It preserves the mind in tranquility and peace (Isa. xxvi. 3), and this is in a high degree conducive to the health and vigour of the bodily frame.--_Wardlaw._ Two sadnesses flow from not fearing Jehovah--worn muscles and dried bones (see "Critical Notes"). The two are perfectly distinct. One means "aching labour," the other, "horrible despondency." The fear of God delivers from both.--_Miller._ All God's laws come from one source and conspire for one end. They favour righteousness and frown on sin. The law set in nature runs parallel as far is it goes to the law written in the Word. Vice saps the health both of body and mind.--_Arnot._ Verse 9. Works of piety and charity are evidently included.--_Wardlaw._ Who art thou, that thou shouldest be able to honour Him, who is Himself of infinite honour? Who would not in this respect employ his substance in God's fear, seeing thereby thou dost honour Him, whom to serve is a high honour to the highest angels.--_Jermin._ To devote a portion of our substance directly to the worship of God, and the good of men, is a duty plainly enjoined in the Scriptures. It is not a thing that a man may do, or may not do, as he pleases. There is this difference, however, between it and the common relative duties of life. For the neglect of it no infliction comes from a human hand. God will not have the dregs that are squeezed out by pressure poured into His treasury. He loveth a cheerful giver. He can work without our wealth, but He does not work without our willing service.--_Arnot._