“He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith; and he that hath fellowship with a proud man shall be like unto him.”
Pride. We are naturally prone to it, and the friendship and manners of the proud will increase it. (Calmet) — If, therefore, the rich be not virtuous, it is dangerous to keep their company, (Worthington) both for this and the next world.
“The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he threateneth withal: the poor is wronged, and he must intreat also.”
Kettle. Made of iron. It will presently be broken. So the poor must suffer, if they marry, or have society with those who are much above their rank. (Calmet)
“And he will shame thee by his meats, until he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at the last he will laugh thee to scorn afterward, when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee.”
Thou? Distrust those who promise much. (Calmet) — Spem pretio non emo. (Tertullian)
“Beware that thou be not deceived and brought down in thy jollity.”
Drawn. Literally, “exhaust.” (Haydock) — He will feast thee, while he wants thy service, or he will come to dine with thee, and thus reduce thee to distress, Proverbs xxiii. 1. (Calmet)
“Press thou not upon him, lest thou be put back; stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten.”
Humbled. By foolishly attempting to rival the sumptuous feasts of the great. Ver. 9., and 11., are not in the Greek. (Haydock)
“Affect not to be made equal unto him in talk, and believe not his many words: for with much communication will he tempt thee, and smiling upon thee will get out thy secrets:”
Wisdom. Depend not on others’ bounty. (Menochius) — When the cause of God is at stake, be firm, like St. Paul. (Calmet) — Pusillanimity in a superior might cause him to neglect his duty. (Worthington)
“Love the Lord all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation.”
Concerning, &c., is not expressed in Greek. (Haydock) — If a person be so weak as to disclose his secret to a great man, he will never be trusted by him. (Calmet)
“What fellowship hath the wolf with the lamb? so the sinner with the godly.”
Awake. Be cautious even in sleep, if possible; or seem not to hear what passes at court. (Calmet)
“As the wild ass is the lion's prey in the wilderness: so the rich eat up the poor.”
Himself. Similarity of manners and of condition is favourable to friendship. (Calmet) — The good and bad cannot be friends, their manners are so different. (Cicero)
“A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his friends: but a poor man being down is thrust away by his friends.”
Lamb. Christ has taught people of different tempers to embrace the faith, which shows his admirable power, Isaias xi. 6.
“The heart of a man changeth his countenance, whether it be for good or evil: and a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.”
Away. Psalm lxi. 4. (Calmet) — “It is inhuman to push those who are falling.” (Cicero, pro Rabir.)
“A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity; and the finding out of parables is a wearisome labour of the mind.”
Helpers. Who prevent his ruin, (Calmet) and turn his words to good sense. (Menochius) — Proud. Greek, “what should not be disclosed,” aporreta. (Haydock) (Calmet) — Their “fault increases, being fed by applause.” (St. Gregory, Mor. iv. 29.)
Clouds. People suppose that the rich must possess genius. (Horace, ii. Sat. iii.) — “Every one honours the rich.” (Theog.) (Calmet) — Exception of persons hinders many good counsels, and promotes evil. (Worthington)
Ungodly. The abuse of riches is alone blameable. All things are clean for the clean, while the wicked perverts every advantage.
Evil. Sorrow will manifest itself. (Calmet) — Imago animi vultus. (Cicero, Decorat. iii.)
Find. Few are perfectly sincere. (Calmet) — Greek, “a cheerful countenance is the vestige of a heart in good things, (Haydock; prosperity, Menochius) and the discovery of parables is the effect of laborious enquiries.” (Haydock) — Study makes the countenance serious. (Calmet)