“Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his mouth, and is not pricked with the multitude of sins.”
Mouth. He is perfect, James iii. 2.
“Riches are not comely for a niggard: and what should an envious man do with money?”
Envious. Who will neither use his wealth himself, nor bestow it. The true use of riches is to take a sufficiency, and to relieve the poor. (Calmet)
“He that gathereth by defrauding his own soul gathereth for others, that shall spend his goods riotously.”
Gathereth. Greek, “taketh from his,” &c. (Haydock) — Such misers are continually derided, but will never be cured, Ecclesiastes ii. 18., and vi. 2. An old proverb says, “The miser doth nothing right but when he dies.” (Calmet)
“There is none worse than he that envieth himself; and this is a recompence of his wickedness.”
Envieth. By refusing himself the necessaries of life, he rejects God’s gifts, and scandalizes his neighbour. (Worthington)
“And if he doeth good, he doeth it unwillingly; and at the last he will declare his wickedness.”
Wickedness. Persisting covetous till death, as is commonly the case.
“My son, according to thy ability do good to thyself, and give the Lord his due offering.”
Offerings. Make a proper use of what God has bestowed. (Calmet)
“Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave is not shewed unto thee.”
The covenant of hell. The decree by which all are to go down to the regions of death, (Challoner) which hell frequently denotes. (Haydock) — Under the old law, all went down into some part of hell. (Worthington) — Hath been. Greek, “hath not,” &c. We know not when we shall die, though all must taste of death, (Haydock) and therefore we must make haste to do good. (Menochius) — Shall, or “is, he shall die the death,” (Genesis ii. 17.) as the Greek has this sentence, ver. 18. (Haydock)
“Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto another? and thy labours to be divided by lot?”
Sorrows. Greek, “toils,” or what thou hast amassed with much care. (Haydock)
“Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is no seeking of dainties in the grave.”
Take. Alms-deeds will ensure the remission of sins. This usury is lawful. We must also keep up a good society with our friends. (Calmet) — Justify. Greek, “sanctify thy soul (17.) for.” (Grabe) (Haydock) — Some read “love,” or divert thy soul by lawful amusements. The argument is addressed to Jews and Gentiles. (Calmet)
“As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.”
Fade. Greek, “grow old like a garment. For the covenant from the beginning is, he shall die the death. Like a leaf flourishing on a bushy tree.” (Haydock) — Homer has the same thought, Iliad vi.
“Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in wisdom, and that reasoneth of holy things by his understanding.”
End. The fruits of the Spirit are alone immortal, ver. 21., and Galatians vi. 8.
“By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her glory shall he dwell.”
Glory. As under the miraculous pillar, Exodus xxiv. 17. He who shall abide with wisdom shall have nothing to fear. (Calmet)