Proverbs 23:5
Are your eyes lifted up to it? it is gone: for wealth takes to itself wings, like an eagle in flight up to heaven.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
In Context
4Take no care to get wealth; let there be an end to your desire for money.
6Do not take the food of him who has an evil eye, or have any desire for his delicate meat:
Cross References
Job 1:14And a man came to Job, and said, The oxen were ploughing, and the asses were taking their food by their side:
Psalms 39:6\39:5\You have made my days no longer than a hand's measure; and my years are nothing in your eyes; truly, every man is but a breath. (Selah.)
Proverbs 27:24For wealth is not for ever, and money does not go on for all generations.
Ecclesiastes 5:13\5:14\And I saw the destruction of his wealth by an evil chance; and when he became the father of a son he had nothing in his hand.
Isaiah 55:2Why do you give your money for what is not bread, and the fruit of your work for what will not give you pleasure? Give ear to me, so that your food may be good, and you may have the best in full measure.
Jeremiah 39:12Take him and keep an eye on him and see that no evil comes to him; but do with him whatever he says to you.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 23:5-6
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. As some are given to appetite ( v. 2 ) so others to covetousness, and those Solomon here takes to task. Men cheat themselves as much by setting their hearts on money (though it seems most substantial) as by setting them on dainties. Observe, I. How he dissuades the covetous man from toiling and tormenting himself ( v. 4 ). "Do… Read the whole commentary →