“If thou be made the master of a feast, lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.”
Ruler. Or king of the feast, alluding to an ancient custom, Esther i. 8. (Calmet) — Nec regna vini sortiere talis. (Horace, Athen. Dipn.; Plut.[Plutarch?], Symp. i. q. 14.) — Humility is most requisite for those in power, and it is most difficult to contemn vain honours, when enjoyed. (St. Gregory, pastor.) (Worthington)
“Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.”
Contribution, towards the feast, (Menochius) or company. This sentence is not in Greek, “rejoice on their account, and for the excellent disposition, mayst receive a corner.” (Haydock)
“A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.”
Music. Which usually accompanied the meals of the rich. (Horace, ii. ode 11.) — “A lyre is handed round, on which each one plays. When Themistocles confessed that he knew not how, he was deemed deficient.” indoctior. (Tusc. i. Quint. i.)
“As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.”
Words. Some Greek copies have, “where there is a concert, pour,” &c. (Calmet) — And be. Greek, “and utter not wise sayings out of season.”
“Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.”
Wine was not used at all meals. (Calmet) — After they were ended, the pagans sung in honour of Bacchus, or of great men. (Plut.[Plutarch?], Sym.) — But the Jews directed their hymns to God, Matthew xxvi. 30. (Philo, Contemp.)
“If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.”
Hear. Greek, (10.) “young man speak if there be wanted of thee; scarcely twice if thou be asked. Sum up thy speech, much in few words. Be knowing and still silent. (11.) In the,” &c. (Haydock)
“And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.”
Thee. Greek implies to be equal. (Calmet)
“Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.”
Storm. Literally, “hail.” Greek, “thunder.” (Haydock) — It comes forth at the same time as the lightning, but travels slower. (Calmet) — For. Greek, (15.) “at,” &c. (Haydock) — Young people must leave the table, and take recreation.
“A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.”
Bless. This is taught by the light of reason, (chap. v. 7.) and the omission before or after meals betrays a want of faith and gratitude, particularly in Christians. — Replenisheth. Greek, “inebriateth thee with his goods.” (Haydock)
“Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.”
Light. They shall advance in virtue and glory, Proverbs iv. 18. (Calmet)
“Be not confident in a plain way.”
Excuse. Literally, “comparison.” “He will bend the law to his desires.” Thus heretics interpret Scripture. (Haydock) — Greek, “he will find condemnation.”
“He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.”
Without counsel; or “by himself,” (Calmet) cum eo. — And. Greek, “do nothing without counsel, and in acting do not repent,” (Haydock) but execute what has been prudently devised. (Calmet) — God directs; yet he would have us to ask advice. (Worthington)
Rugged way. The end of which is unknown, Luke xiv. 28. (Calmet) — Lest. Greek, “and keep a guard over thy children. In every good work confide in thy soul; for,” &c. (Haydock)
In faith. That is, follow sincerely thy soul in her faith and conscience, (Challoner) when it is well informed. Greek, “in every good work believe thy soul; for,” &c. (Calmet) — Act not in opposition to it. (Worthington) — Rondet and Grotius would read, “in every work believe in God with all thy soul.” — All that is not of faith is sin, (Romans xiv. 23.) inasmuch as it is against conscience. (Haydock)