Proverbs 25 - Meaning, Themes & Application

These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Proverbs 25:3 means that just as the sky is high and the earth is deep, you can’t fully understand what leaders are thinking or planning. …

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Proverbs 25:5 means leaders stay strong and fair when they aren’t influenced by corrupt people. Removing dishonest advisers protects decisions from being twisted. For example, …

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 25:11 means the right words, spoken at the right time, are both beautiful and valuable. Like a perfect piece of art, wise words can …

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

Proverbs 25:17 advises against overstaying your welcome at a neighbor’s house. The verse suggests that frequent visits can lead to annoyance and strain the relationship. …

A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

Proverbs 25:20 means that trying to cheer up a deeply sad person with light, careless jokes or “happy talk” can actually make them feel worse, …

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

Proverbs 25:26 means that when a good person gives in to pressure from evil people, it harms everyone who looks up to them, like dirty …

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Proverbs 25:28 means that if you can’t control your emotions, desires, or reactions, your life is wide open to trouble—like a city with no walls. …