Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than an house full of {a} sacrifices with strife.

(a) For where there were many sacrifices, there were many portions given to the people, with which they feasted.

King James Translators' Notes

sacrifices: or, good cheer

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 17

Pr 17:1-28.

1. sacrifices-or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pr 7:14; Le 2:3; 7:31).

with-literally, "of."

strife-its product, or attendant.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

17:1 These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. 2. The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. 3. God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer.

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Chapter 17

Verse 1

These words recommend family-love and peace, as conducing very much to the comfort of human life. 1. Those that live in unity and quietness, not only free from jealousies and animosities, but vying in mutual endearments, and obliging to one another, live very comfortably, though they are low in the world, work hard and fare hard, though they have but each of them a morsel, and that a dry morsel. There may be peace and quietness where there are not three meals a day, provided there by a joint satisfaction in God's providence and a mutual satisfaction in each other's prudence. Holy love may be found in a cottage. 2. Those that live in contention, that are always jarring and brawling, and reflecting upon one another, though they have plenty of dainties, a house full of sacrifices, live uncomfortably; they cannot expect the blessing of God upon them and what they have, nor can they have any true relish of their enjoyments, much less any peace in their own consciences. Love will sweeten a dry morsel, but strife will sour and embitter a house full of sacrifices. A little of the leaven of malice will leaven all the enjoyments.