Sirach 25 Commentary

“O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.”

Enemies. Not out of revenge, but for the glory of God. See Matthew v. 43.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.”

A true. Greek, “prudence.” (Calmet)

“And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.”

Things. Greek adds, “for light (15.) he that,” &c. (Haydock)

“I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.”

It. This is not in the edition of Rome, or of Aldus: but it is in the rest. Fear commonly begins the work of salvation, and love perfects it, 1 Timothy i. 5. (Calmet) — All happiness in this life is grounded on the fear of God. (Worthington)

“The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.”

Evil. Greek reads not this; but the Syriac does, omitting the two next verses. (Calmet) — Heresy is described under the idea of a wicked woman, concealing her malice. (Worthington)

“Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.”

Choose. Literally, “see.” (Haydock) — Some supply “send any plague,” &c.

“Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.”

Enemies. Which they wish, or may behold, chap. xviii. 31. (Calmet)

“A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.”

Head. Or poison, as the Hebrew rosh signifies both. (Rondet.)

“A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees.”

Woman. Greek, “enemy.” (Calmet) — Revenge is the passion of little souls, and of women. (Juvenal xiii.) — Dragon. This is not exaggerated, if we reflect on the evils occasioned by Eve, Dalila, Athalia, &c. (Calmet) — “A woman is the greatest wild-beast.” (Menander)

“Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.”

Sackcloth. And is black when passion bursts forth, though women too frequently conceal their anger to take deeper vengeance.

“Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.”

Groaned. Greek, “shall fall.” — Little. Greek, “bitterly.” He cannot avoid hearing of his wife’s misconduct. (Haydock) — She will raise him enemies on all sides.

“If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.”

Her. I could wish no greater evil to the worst of enemies, Ecclesiastes vii. 27.

Man. He cannot advance. (Calmet) — Semper habet lites. (Juvenal vi.)

Beauty. Other qualifications of more importance must be regarded. (Haydock) — He should choose one who may be a companion and assistant in domestic concerns. (Grotius)

A. Greek, “If she bring a fortune to her husband,” (Haydock) she will continually upbraid him with it, and cover him with confusion, ver. 29. (Calmet) — Lay-leadership in spiritual things is so unreasonable, that few heretics will endure it. (Worthington)

Happy. A lazy wife will give no content.

Die. Eve tempted her husband, and thus we are all involved in sin, 1 Timothy ii. 14.

Water. Incontinency, chap. xxvi. 15., and Proverbs v. 15. If water find a hole, it will presently flow away. Women were kept much at home in the East, as they are in many parts of Europe. (Calmet) — Retirement and silence are the characteristics of a wise woman. (Ęschylus, Thebas.)

She will. Greek, “cut her off from thy flesh.” Grabe and Complutensian add, (Haydock) “give a bill of divorce or her dowry, and send her away.” (Calmet)