“Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.”
Instead. Greek, “and instead,” &c. Syriac begins this chapter with the preceding verse, with which this is connected. Detraction will separate friends.
“Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone.”
Extol. This conduct is inimical to true friendship, which requires that we should make allowance for one another’s faults. (Calmet) — Like. Greek, “lest thy soul be torn away like a bull. Thou wilt eat,” &c. (Haydock) — Vulgate is better. (Calmet)
“Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.”
Wilderness. Thus was Nabuchodonosor humbled, Daniel iv. (Menochius)
“Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.”
Appeaseth. Greek, “and an eloquent tongue multiplies good words.” (Haydock) — The affable gain our affections. Gideon pacified the incensed Ephraimites by a mild answer, Judges viii. (Worthington)
“Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.”
Counsellor. Only few are capable of this office, (Haydock) or of keeping a secret. Yet we must have peace, if possible, with all, Romans xii. 18. (Calmet) — The Scythians condemned many friends, no less than many wives, (Luc. Tox.) and Aristotle (Eth. ix. 10.) commends this maxim of Hesiod: mete poluxeinos met azeinos; “neither to have too many guests, or intimate friends, nor to be without any.”
“If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.”
Get. Literally, “dost possess a friend, possess him in trial,” (Haydock) as the Greek also has it. But the Hebrew term kanah, means likewise, “to acquire,” and a friend ought to be chosen with judgment. It is too late to try him after he has been received. (Calmet) — One must try much before a companion be chosen, that he may be afterwards preserved. (Plut.[Plutarch?]) — “Possess not friends quickly, but those whom thou hast obtained, reject not with disgrace.” (Solon; Laertius i., and ii. 8.)
“For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.”
Trouble. Such are interested friends; but true friendship is a kind and perfect agreement in all divine and human affairs.” (Cicero) (St. Augustine, contra Acad. iii.) — Religion must be the foundation.
“And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.”
Reproaches. Disclosing all your imperfections. (Calmet) — “The closest alliances, being broken, produce the most bitter enmities.” (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxxvii. 4.)
“If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.”
Humble. “Friends must have a respect for each other.” (Cicero)
“Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.”
Friends. Such as have been just described. Of these the maxim of Bias may be true, that people should “love as if they were to hate,” at some future period. (Laertius i.) — Entire confidence becomes those who are friends indeed.
“A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.”
Defence. Jonathas and Chusai saved David.
“A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.”
And immortality, is not in Greek. (Calmet) — But shews the meaning of life is this place; as a true friend will not cease to give good advice for eternity. (Haydock) — But even in this world, nothing can be more advantageous. (Calmet) — Amicus magis necessarius est quam ignis et aqua. (Cicero) (St. Ambrose, off iii.) — Him. Cicero himself says, “friendship can subsist only among the virtuous.” Yet these, judging others by themselves, are more easily imposed upon, and ought, therefore, to address themselves to God. (Calmet)
“Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.”
Be. He will instill into his friend sentiments of piety, if he have them not before. Amicitia similes invenit aut facit. “Pythagoras desires that in friendship one should be formed of many.” (Cicero v. 11.) (Haydock)
“My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.”
Wisdom. A good education will, at last, bring forth fruit, though the passions may choke the good seed for a time. (Calmet) — “Take wisdom for the provision on thy journey, from youth to old age.” (Bias; Laertius i.)
“For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.”
Trial. Such stones were used to try people’s strength, (Zacharias xii. 3.; Calmet) or to try gold. (Vatable) — The Syriac explains it of a precious stone. But the first idea is preferable. Many will not so much as attempt to become acquainted with wisdom and piety.
“Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,”
Name. Perhaps the author may compare the Greek word Sophia, (Calmet) with Tsopuie, (Haydock) “hidden,” or with the Greek term, zophos, which means “darkness.” See chap. xliii. 8,. and xlvi. 1. The original Hebrew test is lost, so that we cannot determine to what word allusion is made. See Cornelius a Lapide, who has written the best commentary on this book. — But, &c., is not in Greek. (Calmet) — Many prefer learning before piety. But St. Augustine says, the unlearned rise and take the kingdom of heaven, while we with our learning, devoid of heart, (or charity; Haydock) behold we fall into the dirt. (Confessions viii. 8.) (Worthington)
“For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.”
Thee. She will even seek thee first, Wisdom vi. 14., Proverbs viii., and Matthew vii. 7. — Gotten. Continence does not here signify being chaste, (Calmet) though this is one of the fruits of wisdom, Wisdom viii. 21., and Galatians v. 23. (Haydock)
“For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.”
Firm. Literally, “bases of virtue;” (Haydock) which is not in Greek, and rather embarrasses the sentence; (Calmet) though it may signify, that if we serve the Lord with fidelity, our building will never be overturned. (Haydock)
“Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.”
Wise. Literally, “prudent.” The Latin has this epithet, because old people are not always such, though it may be expected of them. (Calmet) — “While wisdom increases, all other faculties decrease.” (St. Jerome, ad Nepot.)
“And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.”
Morning, with the utmost diligence. (Calmet) — “The very meeting of the wise is of advantage; and thou mayst learn something of a great man, though he open not his mouth.” (Seneca, ep. xciv.)