Proverbs 27:6

Better be the wounds of him that loveth, than the guileful kisses of him that hateth. (Better be the wounds of him who loveth, than the deceitful kisses of him who hateth.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

In Context

5Better is open reproving, than a love hid. [Better is open amending, than hid love.] (Better be open rebukes, than hidden love.)

7A man filled shall despise an honeycomb (or A full person shall despise an honeycomb); but an hungry man shall take, yea, bitter thing for sweet.

Read all of Proverbs 27

Cross References

2 Samuel 20:9And so Joab said to Amasa, Hail, my brother! And Joab held with his right hand the chin of Amasa, as kissing him, (or And Joab held Amasa’s chin with his right hand, as if to kiss him).

Psalms 141:5A just man shall reprove me in mercy, and he shall blame me; but the oil of a sinner make not fat mine head. For why and yet my prayer is in the well pleasant things of them; (The righteous shall rebuke me in love, and they shall reproach me; but my head shall not be anointed with the oil of sinners. For my prayer is still against what is pleasing to them.)

Proverbs 26:23As if thou wouldest adorn a vessel of earth, ( that is, a cheap pot made out of clay), with the dross of silver, so be swelling lips fellowshipped with a full wicked heart.

Hebrews 12:10And they in time of few days taught us by their will; but this Father teacheth to that thing that is profitable, in (to) receiving (of) the hallowing of him. (And they taught us for only a few days, or they disciplined us for only a short time, out of their own desires; but this Father teacheth or disciplineth that which is profitable, unto the receiving or the sharing of his holiness.)

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 27:6-7

5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Note, 1. It is good for us to be reproved, and told of our faults, by our friends. If true love in the heart has but zeal and courage enough to show itself in dealing plainly with our friends, and reproving them for what they say and do amiss, this is really better, not only than secret hatred (as Lev. xix. 17 ), but than secret love, that love to our neighbours which does not show itself in… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 27:6