“Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.”
Poverty. Greek, “the indifferent thing,” as the Stoics represented money, chap. vii. 20. — Sinned. Hence proceeds the danger to which little merchants are exposed. Involuntary povery is very miserable, Proverbs xxx. 9
“As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.”
Fast. Anacharsis styled “the market-place the receptacle of mutual cheating.” (Laertius 1.) — The seller praises his goods to get them off: (Horace) the buyer says it is bad, Proverbs xx. 14. The next verse is a gloss omitted in Greek. (Calmet)
“As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.”
Fear. By this the soul is preserved in a good state. (Worthington)
“The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.”
Thoughts. The more he thinks on some things, the more is he perplexed. (Calmet) — After sin is purged away, there remains some defects like dust, Psalm l. 4. (Worthington)
“The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.”
Affliction. Greek, “thought,” (Haydock) or speech. (Calmet) — A young man being brought to Socrates, that he might pass judgment on his dispositions, the philosopher ordered him to “speak.” (Cicero)
“Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.”
As. Greek, “the fruit shews the dressing,” &c.
“The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.”
Honour. The desire of justice is the sure method to obtain it. The rest is not in Greek. (Haydock)
“The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.”
Iniquities. They fall deeper, or sin entails punishment. (Calmet)
“If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.”
A. Greek, “the speech of the wise man is wisdom throughout: but,” &c. (Haydock) — The fool always mixes something improper with what good he speaks. (Calmet) — Sun. The wise man preserves his virtue, whether it appear or not. (Worthington)
“The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.”
Keep. Greek, “wait an opportunity.” (Haydock) — Go but seldom. Their discourse tends to promote iniquity, (ver. 14.) and blasphemous oaths, (ver. 15.) and bloodshed, ver. 16. (Calmet)
“The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.”
Ears. The Jews did so, when they heard blasphemy, Acts vii. 56. (Menochius)
“Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.”
Mind. In Egypt, those who disclosed a secret to the enemy, were condemned to have their tongues cut out. (Diodorus ii. 2.)
“As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again”
Him. He will never trust thee more, ver. 22.
“Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.”
Friend. Roman and Alexandrian Septuagint, “enemy.” (Haydock) — This crime is like murder. The Romans sometimes solemnly renounced the friendship of those who had offended them, as Germanicus and Caius did that of Piso. (Tacitus, An. 2.; Suetonius 3.)
“He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.”
Because. Greek, “for one may bind up a wound, and an insult may be pardoned. But he who hath revealed secrets, hath lost all hope,” (Haydock) or “confidence,” ver. 24, chap. xxii. 27.
“Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.”
Off. Some Greek copies have, “he who knows him will depart from him.” It is difficult to guard against a false friend, who winks as if he desired to please us, (Calmet) while he really seeks our ruin, ver. 26.
“Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.”
Wound. Greek, “deal wounds. He,” &c. (Haydock) — Traitors, in the dark, often wound their fellows, (Calmet) or themselves. (Menochius)
“They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.”
Setteth. Greek, “layeth a snare, shall perish in it.”
“Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.”
Him. God will punish, when the sinner has perhaps forgotten his offence. (Calmet) — Such are often chastised here, and always hereafter. (Worthington)
Them. He shall feel the indignation of God, (Calmet) and shall repine. (Haydock)