“Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.”
Death. Greek explains this: (Calmet) I mean (2.) “a companion and friend turned?” &c. (Haydock) — True friendship is most necessary, and false most dangerous. (Worthington)
“There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.”
Will. Grotius suspects that not is wanting. Yet, if such a false friend take up arms, it will only be (Calmet) for his own belly. (Menochius) — Not is ill-omitted in the Complutensian edition in the last part of the following verse.
“Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.”
Snare. Roman and Alexandrian Greek has at the end (Calmet) of ver. 11., “with him that suspecteth thee.” (Haydock)
“Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.”
Stake, or stumbling-block. (Calmet)
“But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.”
Treat not. The negation is omitted in the Vulgate, (Haydock) which speaks ironically in the three following verses. Greek, “consult not with him who suspecteth thee, and hide thy counsel from those who are jealous of thee. With a woman,” &c. Consult not, is always understood. Among the Jews, polygamy occasioned much jealousy. — Envious miser. (Calmet)
“And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.”
Nor. Greek, “with the merciless concerning kindness, with the sluggard concerning any work. With one hired for the year, concerning coming to an end:” sunteleias. (Haydock) — He will never finish his work, or think he has sufficient wages.
“And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.”
God, and is enlightened, as well as a good friend, ver. 16. (Calmet)
“The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.”
It. Greek, “more faithful than it,” the well regulated heart. (Haydock) — It will give the best counsel, if we be not guided by passion.
“Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.”
Holy is not in Greek, but must be understood. (Calmet) — The soul or heart, which is attentive to God, (ver. 17.) will be the best guide. (Haydock) — All good advice proceeds from the Lord. (St. Augustine, Doct. prol. 7.) — We must always have recourse to him, though we must use our best endeavours. (Worthington)
“There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.”
In. Greek, “Reason is chief of every work, and counsel must go before every action.” (Haydock) — We must distrust our own lights.
“For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.”
Them. The heart gives birth to good or evil, which the tongue utters, Matthew xii. 34., and xv. 18. — Soul. What will science, without charity, profit him, if he should even gain the world? (Matthew xvi. 26., and 1 Corinthians xiii. 1.)
“A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.”
Hateful. His sophisms are soon discovered. Greek, “there is one wise, hateful in his discourses: he shall be devoid of all wisdom.”
“The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.”
Soul. Being replenished with wisdom, he communicates it to others, and obtains an eternal reward. (Calmet)
“For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.”
But. Greek, “And.” The wisest must soon die: Even the race of Israel shall end: But the virtuous shall be for ever remembered, ver. 29. (Haydock) — The blessed in heaven live for ever. (Worthington)
“For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.”
Life. Attempt nothing above thy strength: or Greek, try what agrees with thy health or soul, (Calmet) and see thou give it not what is hurtful to it.” (Haydock) — St. Paul (1 Corinthians xi.) exhorts every one to prove or try himself and his own conscience. (Worthington)
“By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.”
Soul. “We must not dispute about tastes.” (Haydock) — They are as various as men’s faces. All conditions do not suit every person.
Choler, or indigestion. “Gluttony has slain more than the sword.” (Calmet)