“Egestatem operata est manus remissa ; manus autem fortium divitias parat. Qui nititur mendaciis, hic pascit ventos ; idem autem ipse sequitur aves volantes.”
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”
“Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
“He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.”
“He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”
Poverty. Even of those who had plenty. This is true in a spiritual sense likewise. (Calmet) — The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence. (Haydock) — Otiositas mater nugarum, noverca virtutum. (St. Bernard, consid. ii.) — He, &c. This is not in Hebrew, Greek, St. Jerome, or in several Latin copies. (Calmet) — We find it in the Septuagint, chap. ix. 13. — Away. He derives no benefits from lies. (Menochius)
Worldly wealth is that which most men have their hearts very much upon, but they generally mistake both in the nature of the thing they desire and in the way by which they hope to obtain it; we are therefore told here, 1. What that wealth is which is indeed desirable, not having abundance only, but having it and no sorrow with it, no disquieting care to get and keep it, no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment of it, no tormenting grief for the loss of it, no guilt contracted by the abuse of it—to have it and to have a heart to take the comfort of it, to do good with it and to serve God with joyfulness and gladness of heart in the use of it. 2. Whence this desirable wealth is to be expected, not by making ourselves drudges to the world (Ps 127 2), but by the blessing of God. It is this that makes rich and adds no sorrow; what comes from the love of God has the grace of God for its companion, to preserve the soul from those turbulent lusts and passions of which, otherwise, the increase of riches is commonly the incentive. He had said (v. 4), The hand of the diligent makes rich, as a means; but here he ascribes it to the blessing of the Lord; but that blessing is upon the hand of the diligent. It is thus in spiritual riches. Diligence in getting them is our duty, but God's blessing and grace must have all the glory of that which is acquired, Deut 8 17, 18.