The Holy Bible Verses

Proverbs 27:21

Cited in 1 topic on this site.

Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.”

— WEB

“As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.”

— KJV

“The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is [tried] by his praise.”

— ASV

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Commentary

This gives us a touchstone by which we may try ourselves. Silver and gold are tried by putting them into the furnace and fining-pot; so is man tried by praising him. Let him be extolled and preferred, and then he will show himself what he is. 1. If a man be made, by the applause that is given him, proud, conceited, and scornful, - if he take the glory to himself which he should transmit to God, as Herod did, - if, the more he is praised, the more careless he is of what he says and does, - if he lie in bed till noon because his name is up, thereby it will appear that he is a vain foolish man, and a man who, though he be praised, has nothing in him truly praise-worthy. 2. If, on the contrary, a man is made by his praise more thankful to God, more respectful to his friends, more watchful against every thing that may blemish his reputation, more diligent to improve himself, and do good to others, that he may answer the expectations of his friends from him, by this it will appear that he is a wise and good man. He has a good temper of mind who knows how to pass by evil report and good report, and is still the same, Co2 6:8.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary (public domain)

Praise tests character. a man to his praise--according to his praise, as he bears it. Thus vain men seek it, weak men are inflated by it, wise men disregard it, &c.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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