“He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, that he may have joy of him in the end.”
He. Greek prefixes “on children.” (Haydock) — And not, &c., is omitted in Greek. It may signify, and not beg, (Calmet) or steal. (Haydock) — The welfare of the country depends on the good education of children, which cannot be performed without correction, (Calmet) though this should never be used till more gentle means have been tried. (Fenelon on Educ.) — The neglect of correction proceeds from a misplaced tenderness, (Proverbs xiii. 24.) which in the end proves most prejudicial both to the child and to the public. (Haydock) — See Plato, rep. ii., and vii; Aristotle, pol. vi.; Cicero, off. ii. (Calmet)
“He that chastiseth his son shall have joy in him, and shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance.”
Them. Greek, “his acquaintance.” (Haydock) — He sees himself re-born in his son, ver. 4. (Calmet)
“He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; and his bowels will be troubled at every cry.”
Wounds. To which he has exposed himself for his child’s welfare, (2 Corinthians xii. 15.; Raban.) or if he neglect correction, he will have to bewail the wounds which his son’s imprudence shall occasion. Syriac, Vatable, Greek, Complutensian, “He who rubs, (Roman edition) cherishes his son,” &c. (Calmet) — The eldest brother must take care of the rest, so as even to expose himself to danger. (Worthington)
“An horse not broken becometh headstrong: and a child left to himself will be wilful.”
Horse. A colt full of spirit, when properly broken in, will answer best, so a proper education corrects impetuous tempers. (Plut.[Plutarch] apop. in Them.)
“Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him, and lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end.”
Laugh. “Smiling he must be feared.” (St. Gregory, Mor. xx. 3.)
“Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his follies.”
Devices. Greek, “sins of ignorance.” Youth is incapable of guiding itself, being destitute of experience, and too confident, Proverbs xxix. 45.
“Chastise thy son, and hold him to labour, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence unto thee.”
Thee. “Very few excel their father.” (Homer, Odyssey E.) — This is sometimes to be attributed to the neglect of education. (Calmet) — Greek subjoins, “on health.” (Haydock)
“Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.”
Evils. Health is better than riches. (Pythagoras, &c.)
“Health and good estate of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth.”
Justice. This is the first of all advantages. (Calmet) — Thales pronounced him happy who was healthy and rich, and “whose soul was well tutored.” (Laertius) — Greek, “health and a good constitution are preferable to all gold, and a,” &c. (Haydock)
“Death is better than a bitter life or continual sickness.”
Rest. In the grave. He speaks not of the soul, Job iii. 13.
“Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up are as messes of meat set upon a grave.”
Grave. The dead cannot partake of them, (Calmet) so neither can the sick of their great possessions. (Haydock) — It was customary to place meat on the tombs of the dead. (Calmet) — The pagans invited them to eat; (St. Epip. Ancor.) but the faithful intended it for the poor, who might pray (Calmet) for the deceased. (Menochius) (Chap. vii. 37., and Tobias iv. 18.) — The kings of France were served at table till they were placed in the tomb, and in many monasteries the usual portion is assigned the dead for thirty days, and given to the poor. (Calmet)
“Give not over thy mind to heaviness, and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel.”
Sighing. Thus meat is useless to those whom God visits with sickness. See chap. xx. 3.
“The gladness of the heart is the life of man, and the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days.”
Sadness. For temporal things, but trusting in Providence, 1 Peter v. 7. Grief for sin is alone of service, 2 Corinthians vii. 10. (Calmet) — Pusillanimity must be avoided. (Worthington)
“Love thine own soul, and comfort thy heart, remove sorrow far from thee: for sorrow hath killed many, and there is no profit therein.”
A never. Greek, “the joy,” &c., Proverbs xvii. 22., and 2 Corinthians ix. 7.
“Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness bringeth age before the time.”
Have. Greek, “love thy soul, and comfort thy heart, and drive,” &c. (Haydock)
“A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet.”
Many. Bringing on maladies, and driving people into despair, ver. 22. It was thought that the sad could not prophesy, 4 Kings iii. 15. (Hermas ii.; Mand. iii.; More Neb. ii. 37.) (Calmet)
Envy. Or jealousy. These passions banish joy. Envy is like rust. (Calmet)
Always. Greek, “will mind the meats which it shall eat.” (Haydock) — It will feast and enjoy content. This verse and the following chapters are in a much less natural order in the Greek editions, till chap. xxxvii. (Calmet)