Proverbs 19:16

He that keepeth the commandment,.... Either of parents, as children ought to do; or of masters, as servants should; or of kings and princes, as is the duty of subjects in all things lawful: or rather…

Keepeth his own soul - i. e., His life in the truest and highest sense.

Here is, 1. The happiness of those that walk circumspectly. Those that make conscience of keeping the commandment in every thing, that live by rule, as becomes servants and patients, keep their own…

despiseth i.e. pays no heed to them ( is careless of, R.V.; negligit, Vulg.), through a contemptuous disregard of "the commandment" which should regulate them. Similarly for despise not, A. V., we…