Proverbs 15:22

Pro 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Ver. 22. Without counsel purposes are disappointed.] The word here rendered "counsel" signifies ‘secret,’ because counsel should be kept secret; which to signify, the old Romans, as Servius testifieth, built the temple of Consus, their god of counsel, sub tecto in circo, in a public place, but under a covert; and it grew to a proverb, Romani sedendo vincunt; The Romans, by sitting in council, conquer their enemies. But what a strange man was Xerxes, and it prospered with him accordingly, who, in his expedition against Greece, called his princes together, but gave them no freedom of speech nor liberty of counsel! Lest, said he to them, I should seem to follow mine own counsel, I have assembled you: and now, do you remember, that it becomes you rather to obey than to advise. {a} Such another was that James that reigned in Scotland in our Edward IV’s time. He was too much wedded, saith the historian, {b} to his own opinion, and would not endure any man’s advice, how good soever, that he fancied not. He would seldom ask counsel, but never follow any. See the note on Pro 11:14.

{a} Val. Max., lib. ix. cap. 5.

{b} Daniel’s Hist.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro 15:22-23. Without counsel — When men do not seek, or will not receive advice from others in weighty affairs; purposes are disappointed — Their designs are ill managed, and succeed accordingly; but in the multitude of counsellors — That is, of wise and good counsellors, for such only deserve that name; they are established — Accomplished, and brought to a good issue. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth — By a wise or good and seasonable answer: that is, “It is a great pleasure to a man to give wholesome counsel, and a greater to see the good success of it; but the greatest of all, both to himself and others, is to have given it so seasonably, that a business was easily effected by it, which had not been done without it.” For a word spoken in due season — Counsel or comfort given to another in a fit time and manner; how good is it! — It is highly acceptable and useful.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15:22 An individual might not think of all the angles of a problem; a wise person invites advice from many advisers.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Read Prov. 11:14.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

See here, 1. Of what ill consequence it is to be precipitate and rash, and to act without advice: Men's purposes are disappointed, their measures broken, and they come short of their point, gain not their end, because they would not ask counsel about the way. If men will not take time and pains to deliberate with themselves, or are so confident of their own judgment that they scorn to consult with others, they are not likely to bring any thing considerable to pass; circumstances defeat them which, with a little consultation, might have been foreseen and obviated. It is a good rule, both in public and domestic affairs, to do nothing rashly and of one's own head. Plus vident oculi quam oculus - Many eyes see more than one. That often proves best which was least our own doing. 2. How much it will be for our advantage to ask the advice of our friends: In the multitude of counsellors (provided they be discreet and honest, and will not give counsel with a spirit of contradiction) purposes are established. Solomon's son made no good use of this proverb when he acquiesced not in the counsel of the old men, but because he would have a multitude of counsellors, regarding number more than weight, advised with the young men.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Without counsel--or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 22. But in the multitude of counsellors] See Clarke on Pr 11:14. But רב יועצים rob yoatsim might be translated, chief or master of the council, the prime minister.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Without counsel purposes are disappointed,.... If a man determines and resolves upon a matter, and at once hastily and precipitately goes about it, without mature deliberation, without consulting with himself, and taking the advice of others in forming a scheme to bring about his designs, it generally comes to nothing; see Luk 14:28; or "without a secret" (s) without keeping one; if a man divulges his intentions, it is much if they are not frustrated; so the Targum,

"vain are the thoughts (or designs) where there is no secret;''

if a man makes no secret of what he designs to do, he is easily counterworked, and his purposes disappointed;

but in the multitude of counsellors they are established; his purposes are, as in Pro 20:18; having the advice of others, and these many, he is confirmed that he is right in what he has thought of and purposed to do; and therefore goes about it with the greater spirit and cheerfulness, and is most likely to succeed, and generally does; see Pro 11:14.

(s) "in non secreto", Montanus; "cum non sit secretum", Baynus; "quum nullum est arcanum", Schultens; "ubi non est secretum", Cocceius.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Counsellors - The Hebrew word, used almost as an official title 1Ch 27:32; Isa 1:26; Isa 19:11, brings before us the picture of the council-chamber of Eastern countries, arranged for a solemn conference of the wise.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Counsel. Hebrew, "secrecy." --- Established. We put in execution without fear, what has been resolved maturely. (Calmet)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Without counsel, when men do not seek or will not receive advice from others in weighty affairs,

purposes are disappointed; their designs are ill managed, and succeed accordingly.

In the multitude of counsellors, i.e. of wise and good counsellors, for such only deserve that name,

they are established, i.e. accomplished and brought to a good issue.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

22. Without counsel — Or, where there is no consultation. The sentiment of this proverb is similar to Pro_11:14, (where see note,) but a number of the words are different.

Purposes (or plans) are disappointed — Frustrated, broken; that is, are more likely to be; but in the multitude of counsellors, or the greatness of the counsellor, they are established, literally, it shall stand. Compare 1Ch_27:32; Isa_1:26; Isa_19:11.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Without counsel where no counsel ispurposes are disappointed; (Pro_11:14) there can be no concerted action, or the means used are not the best that could be devised. Hesiod, Erg., 293 Esylonti piyhtai Ov de ke mht autoh mht allou akouwn En yumw ballhtai o d aut acrhiov anhr. (comp. Pro_20:18) In the multitude of counsellors they are established. (Pro_24:6) We read of "counsellors" as almost regular officials in the Hebrew court, as in modern kingdoms. (see 1Ch_27:32 Isa_1:26 Mic_4:9; comp. Ezr_7:28) There is, of course, the danger of secrets being divulged where counsellors are many; and there is Terence"s maxim to fear, "Quot heroines, tot sententiae;" but, properly guarded and discreetly used, good counsel is above all price. Septuagint, "They who honour not councils (sunedria ) lay aside (upertiyentai ) conclusions (i.e. put off coming to any definite decision); but in the hearts of those who consult counsel abideth". (compare the parallel clause, Pro_19:21)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Counsel - When men do not seek, or will not receive advice from others.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

The value of this proverb as a political truth is sufficiently obvious. A nation without counsel can never be established. (Pro 11:14 .) A multitude of counselors is an indispensable advantage to the Sovereign for his own purposes. (Pro 20:18 ; Pro 24:6 .) And by the neglect of them many good purposes have been disappointed.†1 In the Church, also, combined counsel has greatly tended to Christian establishment. (Act 15:6, Act 15:31 .) Its influence also in our religious institutions is of the highest moment. Clear and commanding is the duty of godly and able men as a multitude of counselors, to take an active part in their purposes. In many individual perplexities we are led highly to estimate this advantage. For how weak and ignorant we are! Were our judgment perfect, the first impressions would be infallibly right. But feeble and shaken as it is by the fall, every dictate needs pondering. How much evil has been done by acting upon impulse in a hasty moment, or by a few warm words or lines without consideration! (Pro 19:2 .) Our wisdom lies in self-distrust; at least leaning to the suspicion that we may be wrong. Yet, while guarding on the other side, against that indecision of judgment, which is carried about by every person’s opinion; the expediency, especially in important matters, of experienced counsel will be generally felt. But even here the wisest is fallible, and often erroneous. In the use of human means, let us mainly look up to the great "Counselor" (Isa 9:6 ) of his Church for guidance, and in reverential thankfulness take "his testimonies as the men of our counsel." (Psa 119:24, Marginal Reading: "men of my counsel"}) Blessed be God for this special privilege of counsel always at hand! In humility and confidence we shall not materially err. (Pro 3:5-6 .)

Footnotes:

†1 Rehoboam, 1Ki 12:13-19 . Ahab, 1Ki 22:18-39 . Even David, 2Sa 24:1-4, 2Sa 24:15 .

Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

v. 22. Without counsel, purposes are disappointed, plans are sure to fail if they have not been considered carefully and from every angle in advance; but in the multitude of counselors they are established, for when they are worked out in this manner, with advice from every quarter, the chances are that all difficulties are taken into account.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Plans are foiled for lack of counsel Without counsel, the plan will not be established.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.