“A wise judge will instruct his people; and the government of a prudent man is well ordered.”
Judge. Greek, “instruct.” (Challoner) — The example of rulers is very powerful. (Worthington)
“As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that dwell therein.”
Therein. Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis. (Claud.) — As a whole city is infected with the vices of princes, so it may be corrected by their good behaviour, (continentia.) (Cicero, Leg. 3.)
“An unwise king destroyeth his people; but through the prudence of them which are in authority the city shall be inhabited.”
Rulers. All who wish to live under just kings, Proverbs xxix. 4.
“The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time he will set over it one that is profitable.”
It, as he did David, Job xxxiv. 30., and Daniel ii. 20. (Calmet)
“In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.”
The scribe. That is, the man that is wise and learned in the law. (Challoner) — It also denotes an officer, Judges v. 14. God must give light and success. (Calmet)
“Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by injurious practices.”
Injury, out of revenge. (Haydock) (Leviticus xix. 18.) — “Cæsar used to forget nothing but injuries.” (Cicero, Ligar.) — This at least is the character of a great man. (St. Augustine, ep. 138., and 54.)
“Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity.”
Men. It invades the rights of the former, and disturbs the repose of mankind. — All. Greek is obscure, “and from both proceeds injustice;” (Calmet) or, “it shall act unjustly.” (Haydock) — Pride attacks both God and man. (Grotius)
“Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.”
Deceits. Hence kingdoms are changed. (Worthington) — The ambition and luxury of subjects (Cato) and the negligence of the rulers, bring on confusion. (St. Augustine, City of God v. 13.)
“Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one setteth his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels.”
Man. The desire of plunder, or of glory, occasions revolutions. (Haydock) — Covetousness is the root of all evils, and causes people to abandon the faith, 1 Timothy vi. 10. (Worthington)
“The physician cutteth off a long disease; and he that is to day a king to morrow shall die.”
Bowels, and would have no compassion for others or for himself. Some Greek copies leave out as far as sale, but Grabe replaces the omission from the Complutensian.
“The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead.”
Beginning, or summit; arche. (Calmet) — Thus Lucifer and Adam fell by pride. (St. Augustine, City of God xii. 6.) All sin, being a contempt of God, springs from pride, (Prosper. contemp. iii. 3.) and from an inordinate self-love. (Calmet)
“The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place.”
Sin, because man abandons God’s law, and falls into all misery. (Worthington) — The proud easily yield to all sorts of iniquity. (Menochius)
“The Lord overthrew countries of the heathen, and destroyed them to the foundations of the earth.”
Disgraced. Greek, “hath taken an exemplary vengeance, and hath,” &c. (Haydock) — Them, as he did the giants, Sodom, Nabuchodonosor, &c.
“He took some of them away, and destroyed them, and hath made their memorial to cease from the earth.”
Stead. Luke i. 52. (Calmet) — “Thales being asked what was difficult to be seen; replied, a tyrant grown old.” (Laertius 1.)
“Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are born of a woman.”
Nations, the Chanaanites, who submitted to the yoke: or rather the Hebrews. (Calmet) — Greek, “instead of them.”
“They that fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they that love him an honourable plant: they that regard not the law are a dishonourable seed; they that transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed.”
Foundation: overturning Sodom, Babylon, and even Jerusalem, for their sins. (Calmet)
“My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, and give it honour according to the dignity thereof.”
Wise. When Diogenes was exposed to sale, and asked what he could do, he answered, “I know how to command free men.” (Laertius 6.) — Joseph and Daniel obtained authority by their wise conduct. (Calmet)
“He that is honoured in poverty, how much more in riches? and he that is dishonourable in riches, how much more in poverty?”
Desert. Let not avarice deprive thee of the necessities of life, nor do any thing beneath thy dignity, Luke xxi. 19.
Glorified. Greek, “honoured on account of his knowledge, and the rich is, ” &c. (Haydock)
And. Greek omits this sentence: (Calmet) yet Grabe has, And the man who is without honour in wealth, how much more so will he be in poverty? (Haydock) (Ecclesiastes vii. 12.)