“There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.”
Prayer. A friend’s excuses must be heard. (Calmet) — Greek, “and he who apologises shall be preserved from ruin.” Grabe adds, “how good is it for one who has been rebuked,” &c., ver. 4. (Haydock) — Thus the guilty merit pardon, and the innocent obtain a greater reward, and satisfy for former offences. (Worthington)
“It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.”
Maiden. Or “woman,” (Haydock) who has been entrusted to his care. (Menochius) — Such people are not free from concupiscence, which must be restrained by the virtue of chastity. (St. Augustine, contra Jul. vi. 14.)
“He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.”
Hated. As the pests of society. See Cicero, off. 1.
“There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.”
Loss. The prosperity of the wicked must not be envied, Psalm xxxviii. 1, 8. (Calmet)
“There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.”
Glory. Galba “would have been universally deemed worthy of the empire, if he had not reigned.” (Tacitus, Hist. 1.) — Adrian VI thought the pontificate the greatest misfortune to which he had been exposed; and this observation was engraven on his tomb. — Estate. By merit.
“There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.”
Sevenfold. As the merchandise was good for nothing, which the miser had obtained for a little money, thinking to save thereby.
“A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.”
Graces. Or favours bestowed with ill-nature.
“The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.”
Sevenfold. He expects more. (Calmet) — His intention is full of guile, who flattereth and detracteth for the sake of gain. (Worthington)
“He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.”
Much. As Dido did. “This is to make a display of favours to excite hatred.” (Sen.[Seneca?] Ben.)
“The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.”
Hateful. He seems to distrust you, and will not permit his goods to be of any service. (Calmet)
“How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.”
Have. Greek, “say I have,” &c. — His. Greek, “my,” as also [in] ver. 18. (Haydock) — Such is the language of the fool.
“An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.”
That, &c. Riches and poverty are both wrong to misers and fools. Greek, “he had as well be without any thing.” (Calmet)
“A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.”
Pavement. It is equally destructive.
“There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.”
Grace, (acharis) impolite and importunate. (Calmet)
“There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.”
Shall. Greek adds, “not.” Yet if a person has had the will to offend, he must repent, though he could not put it in execution. (Haydock)
“A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.”
Himself. Being afraid to beg for necessaries, or given too much.
“A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.”
Nothing. People are always displeased, when a promise is broken. (Calmet)
“The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.”
Man. “It is the vice of slaves.” (Aristotle, Ethic.)
“A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.”
Lying. He exposes honour and virtue, without making restitution. (Calmet) — He throws all into confusion, and we can trust him with nothing. (Menochius)
“Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.”
A. Greek adds a title, “discourses of proverbs.”
“Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?”
And….exalted, is not in Greek but explains the meaning of the former sentence. — Escape. Greek, “obtain pardon for iniquity.” (Haydock) — The great will protect him.
“Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.”
Make. Greek, “like a bit in the mouth, remove corrections,” Exodus xxiii. 8. (Calmet)
“Necessary patience in seeking the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.”
Both? He who, through a false humility refuses to take charge of others, resembles a man who locks up his corn in time of scarcity. (St. Gregory, Part. iii. 26.) (Matthew xxv.) (Calmet) — Wisdom must be shewn for the benefit of others. (Worthington)
Folly. He may still appear to have some sense, and injures none. — It is convenient to conceal faults, provided they be amended. (Worthington)