“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”
A luxurious thing. Hebrew, “a scoffer.” Chaldean, “renders one a scoffer.” — Drunkenness. Hebrew ssocor, any strong drink, particularly palm-wine. Intemperance places the strongest obstacles in the way of wisdom. It causes a person to mock at all sacred things, and to be quarrelsome, chap. xxiii. 29., and Ephesians v. 18.
“The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.”
Reproaches. It is better not to commence a lawsuit, even when we are in the right, chap. xvii. 11. (Calmet) — Plena victoria est ad clamantem tacere. (Val. Max.)
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. unpunished: Heb. held innocent”
Out. So David discovered the meaning of the Thecuite, 2 Kings xiv. 18. A wise politician carefully examines everything in a foreign court.
“Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. him: Heb. a man of gifts”
Faithful. Few continue steady to their engagements or friends, whom they will assist to a certain point. In God these two virtues always go together, Psalm lxxxiv. 11. But they are rarely found in men. (Calmet)
“He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. wisdom: Heb. an heart”
Look. It is the duty of kings to administer justice.
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.”
Sin. Protestants, “my sin?” We know not when it is remitted. (Haydock) — Without a special revelation, no one can be secure, 1 John i. 8., and Ecclesiastes ix. 1. (Bayn.) (St. Augustine in Psalm cxlix.)
“Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.”
Measures. In commerce, (Calmet) as well as in judging. (St. Gregory in Ezechiel iv.)
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. discretion: or, prudence”
Right. We may form some judgment of his future conduct, from the inclinations which he manifests in his infancy.
“The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.”
Both. Consequently he will know all our actions, Psalm xciii. 9. We must refer all to him, as he gives us the means of learning. (Calmet)
“A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.”
Sleep. Septuagint, “back-biting, that thou mayst not be taken off.” (Haydock)
“House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.”
Buyer. This is the common practice; yet it is not without exceptions. St. Augustine (Trin. xiii. 3.) observes, that the mountebank having promised to tell what every person had in his heart, many came to the theatre, when he told them that they all wished to buy cheap, and to sell dear. They all applauded the remark. (Calmet) — Septuagint is here defective. (Haydock)
“He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.”
Strangers. For whom he has bound himself foolishly, chap. vi. 1. All who have the care of others, must answer for them. (Calmet)
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. that which: or, his deed”
Lying. Deceit, and unlawful pleasures, chap. ix. 17. But God mingles disgust with them, and will punish the guilty, at least hereafter. Worldly enjoyments seem sweet, but they are full of gravel, and hurtful.
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. for: or, to his destruction: or, to cause him to die”
Governments. Or prudence, else the best designs may prove abortive.
“A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. do: Heb. add”
Lips. And speaketh much. These people are unworthy of our friendship.
“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
Lamp. Prosperity, or children.
“There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
Blessing. It is morally impossible that they should have been acquired justly, chap. xiii. 11., and xxi. 5.
“The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.”
Evil. And revenge myself. This belongs to the Lord, Deuteronomy xxxii. 35. Man would be too favourable to himself, and would also pronounce his own condemnation, as he is also a sinner.
“A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.”
Way? Jeremias x. 23. Independently of God, who can do any good? (Calmet)
“Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. will beware: Heb. will be cunning”
Ones. Hebrew, “the saint or holy thing.” (Haydock) — Chaldean, “to make a vow for the sanctuary, and afterwards repent;” having acted inconsiderately at first. To attack the persons or relics of the saints, or to plunder what is consecrated to pious uses, will bring on destruction; so also to make vows, and then seek to evade them, will not pass unpunished. (Calmet)
“He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.”
Wheel. Or triumphal arch, fornicem. (Ven. Bede; Jansenius) — He will make his enemies lie prostrate under his chariot-wheels, 2 Kings xii. 31.
“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.”
Lamp. The breath of life, (Genesis ii. 7.) and the light of man, 1 Corinthians ii. 11.
“An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. An: Heb. A witness of Belial”
Clemency. Such a king need not fear rebellion. (Calmet)
“Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.”
Hairs, and experience. They have a greater contempt of death and pleasures. (St. Ambrose, Hex. i. 8.)
Evils. The wicked shall derive benefit from correction. — Belly. They shall feel the remorse of conscience, as Chaldean seems to indicate. (Calmet) — A serious illness often causes people to repent. (Menochius)