*H Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.
Ver. 1. Instead. Gr. "and instead," &c. Syriac begins this chap. with the preceding verse, with which this is connected. Detraction will separate friends.
*H Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly,
Ver. 2. Extol. This conduct is inimical to true friendship, which requires that we should make allowance for one another's faults. C. — Like. Gr. "lest thy soul be torn away like a bull. Thou wilt eat," &c. H. — Vulg. is better. C.
* Footnote * Romans 12 : 6
And having different gifts, according to the grace that is given us, either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith;* Footnote * Philippians 2 : 3
Let nothing be done through contention: neither by vain glory. But in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves:*H And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit, and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness.
Ver. 3. Wilderness. Thus was Nabuchodonosor humbled. Dan. iv. M.
*H A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.
Ver. 5. Appeaseth. Gr. "and an eloquent tongue multiplies good words." H. — The affable gain our affections. Gideon pacified the incensed Ephraimites by a mild answer. Jud. viii. W.
*H Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.
Ver. 6. Counsellor. Only few are capable of this office, (H.) or of keeping a secret. Yet we must have peace, if possible, with all. Rom. xii. 18. C. — The Scythians condemned many friends, no less than many wives, (Luc. Tox.) and Aristotle (Eth. ix. 10.) commends this maxim of Hesiod: μητε πολυξεινος μητ αζεινος; "neither to have too many guests, or intimate friends, nor to be without any."
*H If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.
Ver. 7. Get. Lit. "dost possess a friend, possess him in trial," (H.) as the Greek also has it. But the Heb. 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. C. — One must try much before a companion be chosen, that he may be afterwards preserved. Plut. — "Possess not friends quickly, but those whom thou hast obtained, reject not with disgrace." Solon. Laert. i. and ii. 8.
*H For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.
Ver. 8. Trouble. Such are interested friends; but true friendship is a kind and perfect agreement in all divine and human affairs." Cic. S. Aug. c. Acad. iii. — Religion must be the foundation.
*H And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.
Ver. 9. Reproaches. Disclosing all your imperfections. C. — "The closest alliances, being broken, produce the most bitter enmities." Pliny, xxxvii. 4.
*H If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.
Ver. 12. Humble. "Friends must have a respect for each other." Cic.
*H Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.
Ver. 13. 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. Laert. i. — Entire confidence becomes those who are friends indeed.
*H A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.
Ver. 14. Defence. Jonathas and Chusai saved David.
*H A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.
Ver. 16. And immortality, is not in Greek. C. — But shews the meaning of life is this place; as a true friend will not cease to give good advice for eternity. H. — But even in this world, nothing can be more advantageous. C. — Amicus magis necessarius est quam ignis et aqua. Cic. S. Amb. 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. C.
*H He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.
Ver. 17. 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." Cic. v. 11. H.
*H My son, from thy youth up receive instruction, and even to thy grey hairs thou shalt find wisdom.
Ver. 18. Wisdom. A good education will, at last, bring forth fruit, though the passions may choke the good seed for a time. C. — "Take wisdom for the provision on thy journey, from youth to old age." Bias. Laert. i.
*H She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long.
Ver. 22. Trial. Such stones were used to try people's strength, (Zach. xii. 3. C.) or to try gold. Vat. — 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.
*H For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many, but with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God.
Ver. 23. Name. Perhaps the author may compare the Greek word Sophia, (C.) with Tsopuie, (H.) "hidden," or with the Greek term, zophos, which means "darkness." See c. xliii. 8. and xlvi. 1. The original Heb. test is lost, so that we cannot determine to what word allusion is made. See Corn. a Lapide, who has written the best commentary on this book. — But, &c. is not in Greek. C. — Many prefer learning before piety. But S. Aug. says, the unlearned rise and take the kingdom of heaven, while we with our learning, devoid of heart, (or charity. H.) behold we fall into the dirt. Conf. viii. 8. W.
*H Search for her, and she shall be made known to thee, and when thou hast gotten her, let her not go:
Ver. 28. Thee. She will even seek thee first. Wisd. vi. 14. Prov. viii. Matt. vii. 7. — Gotten. Continence does not here signify being chaste, (C.) though this is one of the fruits of wisdom. Wisd. viii. 21. Gal. v. 23. H.
*H Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory:
Ver. 30. Firm. Lit. "bases of virtue;" (H.) which is not in Gr. and rather embarrasses the sentence; (C.) though it may signify, that if we serve the Lord with fidelity, our building will never be overturned. H.
*H Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou mayst hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee.
Ver. 35. Wise. Lit. "prudent." The Latin has this epithet, because old people are not always such, though it may be expected of them. C. — "While wisdom increases, all other faculties decrease." S. Jer. ad Nepot.
*H And if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors.
Ver. 36. Morning, with the utmost diligence. C. — "The very meeting of the wise is of advantage; and thou mayst learn something of a great man, though he open not his mouth." Sen. ep. xciv.