Proverbs 18:14
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Note, 1. Outward grievances are tolerable as long as the mind enjoys itself and is at ease. Many infirmities, many calamities, we are liable to in this world, in body, name, and estate, which a man may bear, and bear up under, if he have but good conduct and courage, and be able to act with reason and resolution, especially if he have a good conscience, and the testimony of that be for him; and, if the spirit of a man will sustain the infirmity, much more will the spirit of a Christian, or rather the Spirit of God witnessing and working with our spirits in a day of trouble. 2. The grievances of the spirit are of all others most heavy, and hardly to be borne; these make sore the shoulders which should sustain the other infirmities. If the spirit be wounded by the disturbance of the reason, dejection under the trouble, whatever it is, and despair of relief, if the spirit be wounded by the amazing apprehensions of God's wrath for sin, and the fearful expectations of judgment and fiery indignation, who can bear this? Wounded spirits cannot help themselves, nor do others know how to help them. It is therefore wisdom to keep conscience void of offence.
Open source ↗18:14 A spiritual or emotional problem (a crushed spirit) can be more trying than a physical one (sick body).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they release disaster upon me and revile me in their anger.
And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.