I have found Chapter 12 to be a little more difficult in terms of organizing into broad themes. Also, I think some of the "one-offs" are worth elaborating on so in this post I am going to play it a little more loose and try and organize some proverbs into themes but also highlight other proverbs for greater elaboration even if I don't find that they fit into a particular theme within the chapter.
1. If you love discipline you love knowledge and you will be rewarded for your efforts (Proverbs 12:1, 11, 24, 27). I highlight this because, especially as children, we can have a great aversion to discipline and sometimes we find it to be unjust or even tyrannical (and in regards to our human parents, it may well be), but the discipline of the Heavenly Father is always for our benefit and to instruct us. If we can learn to get past the pain and embrace it as part of discipline then we can learn to love discipline and gain knowledge. Further, in another sense, if we are disciplined in our lives and organized in our conduct we stand to gain, whereas if we are lazy we should not be surprised if we suffer loss.
2. Righteousness is a strong tower, a rock that cannot be moved (Proverbs 12:3, 7, 21, 26, 28). We are instructed by the Lord Christ that we should build our faith on him, that way when the tempestuous winds blow we shall not be moved (Matthew 7:24-27). Per John Chrysostom, let us be like Job, and build our faith on that Rock that can withstand all of life's trials and tribulations. The winds will come one way or the other so we would do well to be prepared for them.
3. Our thoughts are our counselors and they can lead us to good or evil (Proverbs 12:5, 15, 20). Our first counselors are always our thoughts but we would be well advised to seek a second (and probably third or fourth) opinion, first in the Word and in consultation with the Holy Spirit but then also in the wisdom of others, either through books or other literature or a trusted friend, advisor or pastor. It is not for nothing that Paul commands us to "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience..." (2 Corinthians 10:5-6 ESV) seeing as "the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV).
4. Don't waste your money pretending to be something you're not (Proverbs 12:9). Oftentimes people will spend a lot of money to keep up appearances or to try and give them the appearance of being wealthier than they are. In the meantime they can't pay their electric bills. This misalignment of priorities will ultimately end up in destitution because you're writing checks you cannot cash and your creditors will require it of you. It is better to "be lowly and have a servant" (Proverbs 12:9 ESV) and live within your means, appreciating the good things God has provided to you.
5. How someone treats the lowly indicates how they treat all (Proverbs 12:10). This proverb discusses this in the context of how a farmer treats his farm animals but we can apply this to anyone in a position of power over someone else (or something else, such as an animal, be it farm animal or pet). When someone perceives they are in a position of authority over another there is a great temptation to loose themselves of all inhibition because they no longer fear retribution (if they are not of faith). We would do well to observe our neighbors (particularly those we are contemplating partnerships or friendships with) to see how they treat the lowly, because the "mercy of the wicked is cruel." (Proverbs 12:10 ESV).
6. The righteous man speaks truthful words which bring healing. (Proverbs 12:17, 18, 22, 25). The truth has the quality of steadfastness. If you speak truly you can be relied upon as a witness; your truthful testimony helps establish justice and will put you in good remembrance. Truthful words are a delight to the Lord and a shining lamp for all men present and all those to come. In the words of Matthew Henry "a man may sometimes do a very good work with one good word."
Other proverbs: If you are good you will gain the favor of the Lord (Proverbs 12:2); Your wife can be a blessing or a curse to you (Proverbs 12:4); Good sense (I believe this means both good conduct and the practice of common sense/pragmatism) elicits the favor of man, but schemers are hated (Proverbs 12:8); The wicked look to steal while the righteous produce fruit out of themselves and therefore are satisfied with good (Proverbs 12:12, 14); An evil man will be caught by his own words (Proverbs 12:13); A fool quickly makes known his anger (Proverbs 12:15, 23 (Per Henry a wise man is "the lord of his anger" (emphasis in original))); A prudent man ignores an insult (Proverbs 12:16); A prudent person is discrete (Proverbs 12:23 (Henry has a further elaboration on this: "He that is wise does not affect to proclaim his wisdom, and it is his honour that he does not. He communicates his knowledge when it may turn to the edification of others, but he conceals it when the showing of it would only tend to his own commendation."); The righteous man is a good example to his neighbor (Proverbs 12:26).
*ESV=English Standard Version
1. If you love discipline you love knowledge and you will be rewarded for your efforts (Proverbs 12:1, 11, 24, 27). I highlight this because, especially as children, we can have a great aversion to discipline and sometimes we find it to be unjust or even tyrannical (and in regards to our human parents, it may well be), but the discipline of the Heavenly Father is always for our benefit and to instruct us. If we can learn to get past the pain and embrace it as part of discipline then we can learn to love discipline and gain knowledge. Further, in another sense, if we are disciplined in our lives and organized in our conduct we stand to gain, whereas if we are lazy we should not be surprised if we suffer loss.
2. Righteousness is a strong tower, a rock that cannot be moved (Proverbs 12:3, 7, 21, 26, 28). We are instructed by the Lord Christ that we should build our faith on him, that way when the tempestuous winds blow we shall not be moved (Matthew 7:24-27). Per John Chrysostom, let us be like Job, and build our faith on that Rock that can withstand all of life's trials and tribulations. The winds will come one way or the other so we would do well to be prepared for them.
3. Our thoughts are our counselors and they can lead us to good or evil (Proverbs 12:5, 15, 20). Our first counselors are always our thoughts but we would be well advised to seek a second (and probably third or fourth) opinion, first in the Word and in consultation with the Holy Spirit but then also in the wisdom of others, either through books or other literature or a trusted friend, advisor or pastor. It is not for nothing that Paul commands us to "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience..." (2 Corinthians 10:5-6 ESV) seeing as "the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV).
4. Don't waste your money pretending to be something you're not (Proverbs 12:9). Oftentimes people will spend a lot of money to keep up appearances or to try and give them the appearance of being wealthier than they are. In the meantime they can't pay their electric bills. This misalignment of priorities will ultimately end up in destitution because you're writing checks you cannot cash and your creditors will require it of you. It is better to "be lowly and have a servant" (Proverbs 12:9 ESV) and live within your means, appreciating the good things God has provided to you.
5. How someone treats the lowly indicates how they treat all (Proverbs 12:10). This proverb discusses this in the context of how a farmer treats his farm animals but we can apply this to anyone in a position of power over someone else (or something else, such as an animal, be it farm animal or pet). When someone perceives they are in a position of authority over another there is a great temptation to loose themselves of all inhibition because they no longer fear retribution (if they are not of faith). We would do well to observe our neighbors (particularly those we are contemplating partnerships or friendships with) to see how they treat the lowly, because the "mercy of the wicked is cruel." (Proverbs 12:10 ESV).
6. The righteous man speaks truthful words which bring healing. (Proverbs 12:17, 18, 22, 25). The truth has the quality of steadfastness. If you speak truly you can be relied upon as a witness; your truthful testimony helps establish justice and will put you in good remembrance. Truthful words are a delight to the Lord and a shining lamp for all men present and all those to come. In the words of Matthew Henry "a man may sometimes do a very good work with one good word."
Other proverbs: If you are good you will gain the favor of the Lord (Proverbs 12:2); Your wife can be a blessing or a curse to you (Proverbs 12:4); Good sense (I believe this means both good conduct and the practice of common sense/pragmatism) elicits the favor of man, but schemers are hated (Proverbs 12:8); The wicked look to steal while the righteous produce fruit out of themselves and therefore are satisfied with good (Proverbs 12:12, 14); An evil man will be caught by his own words (Proverbs 12:13); A fool quickly makes known his anger (Proverbs 12:15, 23 (Per Henry a wise man is "the lord of his anger" (emphasis in original))); A prudent man ignores an insult (Proverbs 12:16); A prudent person is discrete (Proverbs 12:23 (Henry has a further elaboration on this: "He that is wise does not affect to proclaim his wisdom, and it is his honour that he does not. He communicates his knowledge when it may turn to the edification of others, but he conceals it when the showing of it would only tend to his own commendation."); The righteous man is a good example to his neighbor (Proverbs 12:26).
*ESV=English Standard Version
