“Multi cibi in novalibus patrum, et aliis congregantur absque judicio.”
“Much food is in the tillage of the poor : but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.”
“Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.”
“An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.”
“Much food is in the tillage of the poor; But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.”
Fathers. Heirs often lose their property by their misconduct. Hebrew and (Haydock) Chaldean read, “of the poor,” who till their land better than those who have too large farms. (Menochius) — Nature requires but little. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “the just shall spend many years in affluence: but the unjust are cut off at once.” (Haydock)
Note, 1. Foolish pride is the great make-bate. Would you know whence come wars and fightings? They come from this root of bitterness. Whatever hand other lusts may have in contention (passion, envy, covetousness), pride has the great hand; it is its pride that it will itself sow discord and needs no help. Pride makes men impatient of contradiction in either their opinions or their desires, impatient of competition and rivalship, impatient of contempt, or any thing that looks like a slight, and impatient of concession, and receding, from a conceit of certain right and truth on their side; and hence arise quarrels among relations and neighbours, quarrels in states and kingdoms, in churches and Christian societies. Men will be revenged, will not forgive, because they are proud. 2. Those that are humble and peaceable are wise and well advised. Those that will ask and take advice, that will consult their own consciences, their Bibles, their ministers, their friends, and will do nothing rashly, are wise, as in other things, so in this, that they will humble themselves, will stoop and yield, to preserve quietness and prevent quarrels.