Proverbs 17:22

A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.

Brenton Septuagint

In The King James Version

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

In Context

21and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.

23The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in his bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.

Read all of Proverbs 17

Cross References

Psalms 102:3who forgives all thy transgressions, who heals all thy diseases;

Proverbs 15:13When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, the countenance is sad.

Ecclesiastes 2:2I said to laughter, Madness: and to mirth, Why doest thou this?

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 17:22