“Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:”
House. The sacred humanity, (St. Ignatius; St. Augustine, City of God xvii. 20.) or the Church. (St. Gregory, Mor. xxxiii. 15.) — Here we may receive all instruction, the seven sacraments, and the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Pleasure had mentioned her attractions: now those of true wisdom are set before us. (Calmet) — God sent his pastors at all times, to invite people to embrace the latter. They are all included in the number seven, both before and under the law, as well as in the gospel, where St. Paul styles Sts. Peter, James, and John, pillars, Galatians ii. This is the literal sense, on which the mystical is grounded, and both are intended by the Holy Ghost, intimating that the uncreated wisdom took flesh of the blessed Virgin Mary, prepared the table of bread and wine, as Priest according to the order of Melchisedec, and chose the weak of this world to confound the strong, as St. Augustine explains this passage. (Sup. and q. 51.) (Worthington)
“She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. her beasts: Heb. her killing”
Victims. Moses ordered the blood to be poured out at the door of the tabernacle, and a part given to the priests, after which the rest might be taken away. The like was probably done at Jerusalem, Leviticus xvii. 4. These victims are contrasted with those of pleasure, chap. vii. 14. — Mingled. It was not customary for any but barbarians and the gods to take pure wine. Some mixed two, others three, five, or even twenty parts of water. But the scholiast of Aristophanes says, the best method was to have three parts of water, and two of wine. Mercury complains that his wine was half water. (Arist. Plut. v. Sun. i.) — The Fathers often apply this text to the feast of Jesus Christ in the blessed Eucharist. (Calmet) — St. Cyprian (ep. iii.) citeth the whole passage of Christ’s sacrifice in the forms of bread and wine. (Worthington)
“She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,”
Maids. Septuagint, “servant men,” the pastors of the church, inviting all to piety in so public a manner, that none can plead ignorance. (St. Gregory) (Calmet) — To invite. Protestants, “she crieth upon the highest places of the city.” (Haydock) — Christ enjoins his apostles to preach on the roofs, Matthew x. 37.
“Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,”
One. Simple, but not inconstant, like children, 1 Corinthians xiv. 20. Pleasure addresses the same, (chap. vii. 7.) but for their destruction. (Calmet)
“He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.”
Scorner. This is the reason why wisdom speaks only to the simple. The conceited would only laugh at her instructions. These scoffers represent heretics and libertines, chap. i. 22. (Calmet) — Where there is no hope of amendment, prudence and charity require us to be silent, as our rebukes would only procure us enmity, and make the sinner worse. (Worthington) — Of such St. John was afraid, and therefore ceased from writing, 3 John 9. Yet St. Paul commands public reprehension, 1 Timothy v. 20. (Menochius) — When there is any prospect of good, all, particularly superiors, are bound to correct. (St. Augustine, City of God i. 9.; and St. Basil, reg. fus. 158.) (Worthington)
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”
Occasion. This word is found in Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic. We might supply instruction, (Calmet) with Protestants.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Prudence. Or “prudence is the science of the saints,” (Haydock) directing what to choose on all occasions to obtain heaven. (Calmet) — The knowledge contained in the holy Scriptures, and possessed by the saints, is superior to all other sciences. (Menochius)
“A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.”
And full. Protestants, “she is simple and knoweth nothing.” Septuagint, “is in want of a piece of bread.” They have several verses before this, which are here omitted. (Haydock) — Wisdom and pleasure are opposed to each other. (Calmet)
“Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. eaten: Heb. of secrecies”
Pleasant. Impure pleasures are more delightful (Calmet) to sensual men. (Haydock) — The prohibition increases appetite. (Menochius)
“But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.”
Giants. Who lived when all flesh had corrupted its ways, (Genesis vi. 12.) and were sentenced to hell, Job xxvi. 5., and Isaias xiv. 9. (Calmet)