Proverbs 17:22
A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner, 1752)
In The King James Version
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
In Context
21A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
23The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
Cross References
Psalms 102:3Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.
Proverbs 15:13A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
Ecclesiastes 2:2Laughter I counted error: and to mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?
Romans 5:2By whom also we have access through faith into this grace wherein we stand: and glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God.
2 Corinthians 7:10For the sorrow that is according to God worketh penance, steadfast unto salvation: but the sorrow of the world worketh 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 →