Proverbs Chapter 27 verse 19 Holy Bible
As in water face `answereth' to face, So the heart of man to man.
read chapter 27 in ASV
Like face looking at face in water, so are the hearts of men to one another.
read chapter 27 in BBE
As [in] water face [answereth] to face, so the heart of man to man.
read chapter 27 in DARBY
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
read chapter 27 in KJV
read chapter 27 in WBT
As water reflects a face, So a man's heart reflects the man.
read chapter 27 in WEB
As `in' water the face `is' to face, So the heart of man to man.
read chapter 27 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 19. - As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man; Vulgate, Quomodo in aquis resplendent vultus prospicientium, sic corda hominum manifesta sunt prudentibus. As in clear water the face of the gazer is reflected, so man finds in his fellow man the same feelings, sentiments, passions, which he has himself. He sees in others the likeness of himself; whatever he knows himself to be, he will see others presenting the same character. Self-knowledge, too, leads to insight into others' minds; "for what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" (1 Corinthians 2:11). There is a solidarity in human nature which enables us to judge of others by ourselves. The difficulties in the construction and wording of the sentence do not affect the interpretation. They are, however, best met by rendering, with Delitzsch, "As it is with water, face corresponds to face, so also the heart of man to man." Septuagint, "As faces are not like faces, so neither are the thoughts of men;" which is like the saying of Persius, 'Sat.,' 5:52 - "Mille hominum species, et rerum discolor usus;Velle suum cuique est, nec voto vivitur uno."
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(19) So the heart of man (answereth) to man.--What is in our own hearts we find in others also. Whatever are the distinguishing features of our own characters we discover and elicit the same in others. The merciful, the generous, the devout, the pure, recognise the same qualities in others, and themselves feel and receive sympathy from such persons. So the evil, too, find themselves in harmony with those of like disposition.
