“Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep.”
Riches. Literally, “honesty” has this sense. (Haydock) — The study of virtue and of the Scriptures removes temptations of the flesh. (St. Jerome, ad Rust.) (Worthington)
“Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep,”
Hand. With too much anxiety. (Calmet) — Greek, “the solicitude of watching will drive away slumber, and a grievous malady will moderate sleep,” (Grabe; Haydock) or “sleep will alleviate a severe illness,” as experience evinces. (Calmet)
“The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.”
Poor. All have not equal success, Proverbs x. 22, and Psalm cxxvi. 1. (Drusius)
“He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.”
Justified. He is exposed to various temptations, 1 Timothy vi. 9.
“It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.”
To it. Being a sort of idol, Colossians iii. 5. (Calmet) — Woe. Greek, “and every,” &c.
“Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.”
Nor, &c. Greek, (9.) who, &c. “Pride is the worm of riches.” (St. Augustine) — “In delights, chastity is endangered; and humility in the midst of riches.” (St. Bernard, conv. Cler. xxx.) — Not to transgress, on such occasions, is the greatest miracle. (Calmet) — Man has free will, and those are happy, who, by God’s grace, do not abuse it. (Worthington)
“His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.”
In, &c. Alexandrian Greek, “and wisdom (Grabe substitutes the Church) shall proclaim his alms.” (Haydock) — God will bless his riches. (Calmet)
“If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.”
Be, &c. Greek, “do not open,” (Haydock) shew not too much greediness.
“Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.”
Wicked. Jealous or avaricious, as if the person feared lest he should have to prepare the like sumptuous entertainment, Proverbs xxiii. 1. Judas blamed the profusion of Magdalene, John xii. 5.
“Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.”
Face. Or portion set before him, 1 Kings i. 5. (Calmet) — When. Greek, “wheresoever it, (Haydock) or he (Calmet) shall look, stretch not forth thy hand, and strive not with him in the dish. Judge,” &c. Let the envious person (Haydock) or the master be served first. (Calmet)
“A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.”
Use. Greek, “in all act considerately. Eat like a man,” &c., (Haydock) not like a beast.
“Sound sleep cometh of moderate eating: he riseth early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching, and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.”
First. Yet not too soon, lest the others should seem to be gluttons. (Calmet)
“And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.”
Of all. Greek, “of them. How,” &c. (Haydock) — Politeness is grounded on virtue. (Calmet)
“My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick, so shall there no sickness come unto thee.”
Wine. Greek specifies nothing, and to eat much is unwholesome. (Haydock)
“Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.”
Choler. Or the cholic. The intemperate, infrunito, (Calmet) Greek, “insatiable,” cannot sleep. (Haydock)
“Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.”
Vomit. Some have omitted this term as indelicate; but the Scripture does not approve of intemperance, while it advises the preventing of a disorder. A man’s stomach may sometimes be innocently overcharged. On such occasions, an emetic was prescribed. The ancients had not the same horror of it as moderns, Proverbs xxiii. 8. (Calmet) — Cicero, addressing Cæsar, says, Cum te vomere post cænam velli dixisses. (Pro. R. Dejot.) — And thou. Greek, “hear,” &c.
“Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.”
Quick. Intemperance and idleness are the great sources of illness.
“Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:”
Bread. And other provisions; while the miser is contemned, Proverbs xxii. 9. (Calmet) — Bread supports the body, and instruction the soul. If it be bad, it does the reverse. (Worthington)
“Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.”
Challenge. Not to fight, or rather (Haydock) to drink, Isaias v. 22. (Calmet)
“Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words, and press not upon him with urging him to drink.”
Rebuke. Or disorder. Greek, “prove,” (Haydock) or “lay open.” (Calmet) — Consilium retegis Lydo. (Horace, iii. ode 21.)
Taken. Greek, “is as good as life,” &c. — Thou shalt. Greek, “what,” &c.
With. Greek, “destitute of wine, (35.) and this was created to,” &c.
And not. Greek, (36.) “sufficient wine taken in season is the,” &c.
Sober. Greek, (39.) “wine,” &c. (Haydock) — Anacharsis said that “the vine bore three clusters; the first of pleasure, the second of drunkenness, the third of discontent.” (Laertius i.)
Reproach. Alexander [the Great] transfixed Clytus for so doing. (Curtius viii.) — Again. By the pernicious custom of drinking healths, which still prevails in some countries, (Calmet) and occasions people to get drunk. (Drusius) — Such abuses ought to be discouraged by every one. (Haydock)