*H He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof, is foolish.
Ver. 1. Knowledge. It is a great kindness to shew us our faults. But God's grace is necessary to make us reap benefit from correction, (C.) as self-love recoils at it.
*H He that is good, shall draw grace from the Lord: but he that trusteth in his own devices, doth wickedly.
Ver. 2. But. Heb. "and he will condemn the man of devices," (Mont. H.) or, "the man of thoughts doth wickedly," (C.) as he trusts in them, rather than in God. M.
*H A diligent woman is a crown to her husband: and she that doth things worthy of confusion, is as rottenness in his bones.
Ver. 4. Diligent. Heb. "strong or virtuous," (H.) including all the perfections of the sex, and in particular those of economy and chastity. C. xiv. 1. and xxxi. 10.
*H Turn the wicked, and they shall not be: but the house of the just shall stand firm.
Ver. 7. Turn. In a moment the wicked is not to be found. C. x. 25. and Ps. xxxvi. 35.
*H A man shall be known by his learning: but he that is vain and foolish, shall be exposed to contempt.
Ver. 8. Learning. We apply to those things which we love, and those who study sacred (C.) or useful sciences, shall receive praise.
*H Better is the poor man that provideth for himself, than he that is glorious and wanteth bread.
Ver. 9. Glorious. Or a boaster, (H.) as many noblemen are, who are involved in debt. Eccli. x. 30. M. — It is better to have a sufficiency, than to be of noble parentage; and starving through a stupid idea, that work would be disgraceful.
*H The just regardeth the lives of his beasts: but the bowels of the wicked are cruel.
Ver. 10. Beasts. Those who treat them with cruelty, would do the like with men. God gives regulations to let brute beasts have rest. Lev. xxii. 28. C. S. Chrys. in Rom. xxix.
*H He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that pursueth idleness is very foolish. He that is delighted in passing his time over wine, leaveth a reproach in his strong holds.
Ver. 11. Idleness. Heb. "the idle." Their company is seducing. — He that, &c. This occurs in the Sept. but not in the Heb. or the new edit. of S. Jer. C. — Wine. Or "in taverns." — Holds. Soldiers have thus been often surprised. M. — "Drunkenness is an incitement to lust and madness, the poison of wisdom." S. Amb.
*H The desire of the wicked is the fortification of evil men: but the root of the just shall prosper.
Ver. 12. Men. They wish to supplant one another.
*H For the sins of the lips ruin draweth nigh to the evil man: but the just shall escape out of distress.
Ver. 13. Lips. Liars often become the victims of their own deceit.
*H A fool immediately sheweth his anger: but he that dissembleth injuries is wise.
Ver. 16. Wise. It is more difficult to repress, than to avoid anger. S. Amb. — To dissemble, so as to seek an opportunity of revenge, is not commended.
*H He that speaketh that which he knoweth, sheweth forth justice: but he that lieth, is a deceitful witness.
Ver. 17. That. Heb. "the truth announceth justice." We easily give credit to an honest man. C.
*H There is that promiseth, and is pricked as it were with a sword of conscience: but the tongue of the wise is health.
Ver. 18. Promiseth. Sept. "there are, who speaking, wound with the sword; but," &c. Heb. bote (H.) means also, making a foolish promise, which causes remorse. M. — This was the case with Herod, when he was pleased with Herodias. Matt. xiv. 8. C. — Heb. "speaketh like the piercings of a sword," (Prot. H.) as detractors, and those who disseminate impious and scandalous maxims do.
*H The lip of truth shall be steadfast for ever: but he that is a hasty witness, frameth a lying tongue.
Ver. 19. Frameth. He studies how to escape detection. Heb. "a lying tongue is but for a moment;" it is presently discovered.
*H Deceit is in the heart of them that think evil things: but joy followeth them that take counsels of peace.
Ver. 20. Deceit. Or uneasiness. C. — Honi soit qui mal y pense: "let him be covered with shame who thinks evil in it," seems nearly of the same import. H.
*H Whatsoever shall befall the just man, shall not make him sad: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
Ver. 21. Sad. Even if he fall into sin, he will not lose all hope. C. — The accidents accompanying this life will not overwhelm him. S. Chrys. — Heb. "no evil shall befal the just." If he be afflicted here, he will be amply rewarded hereafter. Sept. "the just will not be pleased with any injustice."
*H A cautious man concealeth knowledge: and the heart of fools publisheth folly.
Ver. 23. Cautious. Versutus is taken in a good, as well as in a bad sense. The wise are reserved in speaking. Prov. xvi. 14. C.
*H Grief in the heart of a man shall bring him low, but with a good word he shall be made glad.
Ver. 25. Grief. Sept. "a fearful speech troubleth the heart of a (just) man." Grabe. H.
*H He that neglecteth a loss for the sake of a friend, is just: but the way of the wicked shall deceive them.
Ver. 26. Just. A true friend will make any sacrifice. C. — "I am convinced that friendship can subsist only among the good," says Cicero. Heb. "the just hath more, (C. Prot.) or is more excellent than his neighbour." Sept. "the intelligent just is his own friend; (but the sentences of the impious are contrary to equity. Evils shall pursue sinners) but the way," &c. Grabe. H.
*H The deceitful man shall not find gain: but the substance of a just man shall be precious gold.
Ver. 27. Gain. Heb. and Sept. "his prey," (C.) or what "he took in hunting." Prot. H.
*H In the path of justice is life: but the bye-way leadeth to death.
Ver. 28. Bye-way. Of vice. Heb. "and a way which leadeth to death," or "its paths conduct to death." C.