Proverbs
Verse 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, ( Calmet.) as self-love recoils at it.
EXPLANATIONS
Proverbs 12
Historical chapter commentary
Proverbs
Verse 2. But. Hebrew “and he will condemn the man of devices,” (Mont. Bible.) or, “the man of thoughts doth wickedly,” ( Calmet.) as he trusts in them, rather than in God. Menochius.
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Verse 4. Diligent. Hebrew “strong or virtuous,” ( Bible.) including all the perfections of the sex, and in particular those of economy and chastity. Calmet. 14:1 and 31:10.
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Verse 7. Turn. In a moment the wicked is not to be found. Calmet. 10:25 and Psalms 36:35.
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Verse 8. Learning. We apply to those things which we love, and those who study sacred ( Calmet.) or useful sciences, shall receive praise.
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Verse 9. Glorious. Or a boaster, ( Bible.) as many noblemen are, who are involved in debt. Sirach 10:30. Menochius.—It is better to have a sufficiency, than to be of noble parentage; and starving through a stupid idea, that work would be disgraceful.
Proverbs
Verse 10. Beasts. Those who treat them with cruelty, would do the like with men. God gives regulations to let brute beasts have rest. Leviticus 22:28. Calmet. Saint John Chrysostom in Rom. xxix.
Proverbs
Verse 11. Idleness. Hebrew “the idle.” Their company is seducing.—He that, and so forth This occurs in the Septuagint but not in the Hebrew or the new edit. of S. Jerom. Calmet.—Wine. Or “in taverns.”—Holds. Soldiers have thus been often surprised. Menochius.—“Drunkenness is an incitement to lust and madness, the poison of wisdom.” Saint Ambrose
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Verse 12. Men. They wish to supplant one another.
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Verse 13. Lips. Liars often become the victims of their own deceit.
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Verse 16. Wise. It is more difficult to repress, than to avoid anger. Saint Ambrose—To dissemble, so as to seek an opportunity of revenge, is not commended.
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Verse 17. That. Hebrew “the truth announceth justice.” We easily give credit to an honest man. Calmet.
Proverbs
Verse 18. Promiseth. Septuagint “there are, who speaking, wound with the sword; but,” and so forth Hebrew bote ( Bible.) means also, making a foolish promise, which causes remorse. Menochius.—This was the case with Herod, when he was pleased with Herodias. Matthew 14:8. Calmet.—Hebrew “speaketh like the piercings of the sword,” (Prot. Bible.) as detractors, and those who disseminate impious and scandalous maxims do.
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Verse 19. Frameth. He studies how to escape detection. Hebrew “a lying tongue is but for a moment;” it is presently discovered.
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Verse 20. Deceit. Or uneasiness. Calmet.—Honi soit qui mal y pense: “let him be covered with shame who thinks evil in it,” seems nearly the same import. Bible.
Proverbs
Verse 21. Sad. Even if he fall into sin, he will not lose all hope. Calmet.—The accidents accompanying this life will not overwhelm him. Saint John Chrysostom—Hebrew “no evil shall befall the just.” If he be afflicted here, he will be amply rewarded hereafter. Septuagint “the just will not be pleased with any injustice.”
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Verse 23. Cautious. Versutus is taken in a good, as well as in a bad sense. The wise are reserved in speaking. Proverbs 16:14. Calmet.
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Verse 25. Grief. Septuagint “a fearful speech troubleth the heart of a (just) man.” Grabe. Bible.
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Verse 26. Just. A true friend will make any sacrifice. Calmet.—“I am convinced that friendship can subsist only among the good,” says Cicero. Hebrew “the just hath more, ( Calmet. Prot.) or is more excellent than his neighbour.” Septuagint “the intelligent just is his own friend; (but the sentences of the impious are contrary to equity. Evils shall pursue sinners) but the way,” and so forth Grabe. Bible.
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Verse 27. Gain. Hebrew and Septuagint “his prey,” ( Calmet.) or what “he took in hunting.” Prot. Bible.
Proverbs
Verse 28. Bye-way. Of vice. Hebrew “and a way which leadeth to death,” or “its paths conduct to death.” Calmet.