“Justitia elevat gentem ; miseros autem facit populos peccatum.”
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. to any: Heb. to nations”
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
“Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.”
Miserable. This sentence ought to be engraven in all public places. Hebrew, “and mercy the sinful people,” whom God spares on account of their alms-deeds, (Daniel iv. 24.) or “sin is the shame of peoples.” (Calmet) — Montanus renders chesed mercy, and Pagnin “ignominy.” The former is scarcely intelligible, et misericordia populorum peccatum, unless sin be here taken for a sin-offering, (Haydock) as it is by Vatable, Grotius, &c. (Calmet)
Note, 1. Passionate men are justly laughed at. Men who are peevish and touchy, and are soon angry upon every the least provocation, deal foolishly; they say and do that which is ridiculous, and so expose themselves to contempt; they themselves cannot but be ashamed of it when the heat is over. The consideration of this should engage those especially who are in reputation for wisdom and honour with the utmost care to bridle their passion. 2. Malicious men are justly dreaded and detested, for they are much more dangerous and mischievous to all societies: A man of wicked devices, who stifles his resentments till he has an opportunity of being revenged, and is secretly plotting how to wrong his neighbour and to do him an ill turn, as Cain to kill Abel, such a man as this is hated by all mankind. The character of an angry man is pitiable; through the surprise of a temptation he disturbs and disgraces himself, but it is soon over, and he is sorry for it. But that of a spiteful revengeful man is odious; there is no fence against him nor cure for him.