“O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat!”
Death is terrible to all, but most to those who live comfortably. (Calmet) — O vita misero longa, felici brevis. (Seneca)
“Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.”
Sentence, pronounced on Adam and all his posterity. (Calmet)
“The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.”
Flesh. “It is a great consolation to share the fate of all.” (Seneca, Provid. v.)
“The inheritance of sinners' children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach.”
What. Greek, “why wouldst thou refuse to submit to the?” &c. (Haydock)
“The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake.”
Life. Thou wilt not be asked how long, but how well thou hast lived. No one will then envy thy long life. (Calmet) — It will be in vain to plead that the length or shortness of life has occasioned thy sins; for God does all with justice and for the best, if men would use rightly his benefits. (Worthington) — Thou wilt not repine at having lived too short a time. (Menochius) — An evil life will be alone condemned, Wisdom v. (Du Hamel)
“Woe be unto you, ungodly men, which have forsaken the law of the most high God! for if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction:”
Ungodly. They adopt the wicked manners of their parents (Calmet) and companions, and thus become still more criminal. (Haydock)
“All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.”
Father. He is rather their executioner, (Calmet) and would have been less cruel, if he had murdered them while they were innocent, Wisdom xii. 10. (Haydock)
“Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.”
Portion. It would have been better for them never to have existed, Matthew xxvi. 24. This [is] the case of heresiarchs. (Calmet)
“A good life hath but few days: but a good name endureth for ever.”
From. Greek, “go to destruction.” (Haydock) — It is their destination (chap. xl. 11.; Calmet) and choice. (Haydock)
“My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both?”
Body. The death of the body is bewailed in the just, but that of the soul also of wicked people calls for our tears. They will soon perish, Psalm ix. 7.
“A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a man that hideth his wisdom.”
Great. The concern which all have for a good name, is one of the strongest proofs of the souls’ immortality, Proverbs xxii. 11.
“Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;”
Peace, with docility, (Matthew xi. 25.) or in the midst of prosperity, be on your guard, chap. xx. 32. (Calmet)
“And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and of scorning to give and take;”
Have a shame, &c. That is to say, be ashamed of doing any of these things, which I am now going to mention: for though sometimes shamefacedness is not to be indulged, yet it is often good and necessary; as in the following cases. (Challoner) — Disciples ought to esteem what their masters teach, though they do not perceive the reasonableness of what they assert. (Worthington)
“And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot;”
Opinion. Grotius corrects the Greek, “It is not laudable to be incredulous in all.”
“And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man's wife.”
Mother. Thy misconduct seems to redound to their dishonour, as if they had not given thee a proper education.
“Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and after thou hast given, upbraid not;”
People. They will stone thee. Remember the fate of Roboam, 3 Kings xii. (Calmet)
“So shalt thou be truly shamefaced and find favour before all men.”
And of. Literally, “out of respect for the,” &c. De veritate Dei & testamento. (Haydock) — The same words occur [in] chap. xlii. 2.; whence Jansenius thinks they have been transferred hither. Most refer them to what goes before. Blush for lying, which is contrary to the truth of God; and for the other sins which injure his covenant. — Meat. This posture betrays idleness or pride.
Harlot. The eyes must be chaste, Jeremias ix. 21., and Matthew v. 28. — Kinsman, when he is poor, and refusing to assist him. (Calmet)
Turn. Greek, “of taking away a portion and gift,” made already to God or men; (27.) “of considering attentively another’s wife; of being too busy about his,” &c. (Haydock)