Proverbs 24:6

Pro 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

Ver. 6. For by wise counsel.] {See Trapp on "Pro 20:18"} This Salust delivers as the sentence of the wisest sages, but Solomon said it long before.

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.

Verse 6. By wise counsel thou shalt make thy war] See Clarke on Pr 20:18.

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

(6) Wise counsel.—See above on Pro_1:5. In the great spiritual fight also (Eph_6:12) we need wise counsel, to see the end to be aimed at, and the means of attaining it.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

6. safety] or victory, as in 2Sa_19:2, and perhaps in 2Ki_5:1. The first half of this proverb occurs Pro_20:18, and the second Pro_11:14.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Wisdom is too high for a fool,.... It is out of his reach, he cannot attain it; natural wisdom, or the knowledge of many things in nature; at least it seems so to himself, and therefore will not take any pains, or make use of any means, to obtain it; as the knowledge of human laws; of medicine, of philosophy, of languages, or of any of the liberal arts and sciences; or he has not really a capacity for it. This is more especially true of spiritual wisdom, or of the knowledge of divine things in a spiritual way; or of the things Of the Spirit of God, which a natural man cannot know, because they are spiritually discerned; it is God only makes men to know this kind of wisdom in the hidden part, Co1 2:14; for as a "fool" here denotes a wicked man, let his natural parts be what they will; so wisdom spiritual knowledge, and experience of divine things, which is too high for an unregenerate man to reach; see a like phrase in Psa 139:6;

he openeth not his mouth in the gate; he is not qualified far it; and if he has any knowledge of himself, he will not venture to speak in a public assembly, in the house of parliament, in a court of judicature, or in the company of men of knowledge and sense; and indeed it is his highest wisdom to keep silence, and not betray his ignorance: and so with regard to spiritual things; a man that wisdom is too high for, and he has no share of it, shall not or ought not to open his mouth where Wisdom cries; even in the gates of the cities, or in the public assemblies of the saints, Pro 1:21.

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

Counsels. "Consult many what ought to be done, but only a few of the most faithful, or rather thyself alone, what thou art about to do." (Veget. iii. 9., and 27.)

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).

War is better managed by wisdom than by strength. So this proves what he said in the last verse.

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

6. By wise counsel… war — This is a combination of two halves of proverbs which are recorded in Pro_11:14, and Pro_20:18. Compare also Pro_15:22. It may be considered an illustration of the preceding maxim. It is only by wise counsels, ordinarily, that wars can be successful. Skilful strategy often accomplishes more than physical force. It may be intended, also, as a precept for rulers. Stuart renders: “For with skilful management must thou make war for thyself, and there is discretion in much counsel.” Zockler: “Victory in abundance of counsel.” Comp. Pro_15:22; Pro_20:18; Pro_11:14.

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

Thy war; war for thyself, for thy profit, equivalent to "successful war". (comp. Exo_14:14) The clause is an echo of Pro_20:18 (where see note). The last line is a repetition of Pro_11:14. (comp. also Pro_15:22) Septuagint, "War is made with generalship (kubernhsewv ), and help with a heart that counsels."

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

Thy war - War is better managed by wisdom than by strength.

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

v. 6. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war, carry it forward to a successful issue, and in multitude of counselors, all of whom contribute good advice, there is safety, matters are sure to go forward favorably. cf Pro 20:18; Pro 11:14; Pro 15:22.

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