Proverbs 17:22
A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
Catholic Public Domain Version
In The King James Version
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
In Context
23The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
Cross References
Psalms 102:3He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities.
Proverbs 15:13A rejoicing heart gladdens the face. But by the grief of the soul, the spirit is cast down.
Ecclesiastes 2:2Laughter, I considered an error. And to rejoicing, I said: “Why are you being deceived, to no purpose?”
Romans 5:2For through him we also have access by faith to this grace, in which we stand firm, and to glory, in the hope of the glory of the sons of God.
2 Corinthians 7:10For the sorrow that is according to God accomplishes a repentance which is steadfast unto salvation. But the sorrow that is of the world accomplishes death.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:22
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. This expresses that very emphatically which many wise and good men feel very sensibly, what a grievous vexatious thing it is to have a foolish wicked child. See here, 1. How uncertain all our creature-comforts are, so that we are often not only disappointed in them, but that proves the greatest cross in which we promised ourselves most satisfaction. There was joy when a man-child was born into the world, and yet, if he prove… Read the whole commentary →