Proverbs
Verse 1. Fury. This was seen in Nabal and Roboam, while Gideon and Abigail shewed the good effects of a mild answer. Judith 8:1 and 1 Kennicott. 10:25 and 3 Kennicott. 12:11.
EXPLANATIONS
Proverbs 15
Historical chapter commentary
Proverbs
Verse 2. Knowledge. It requires to be proposed in a proper manner.
Proverbs
Verse 4. Life. This comparison was become proverbial for something very excellent. Immoderate. Hebrew “perverse.” Calmet.—Evil discourse kills the souls both of those who speak, and of those who pay attention to it. Bible.
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Verse 5. In abundant, and so forth Is omitted in Hebrew Chal. and many Greek and Latin copies. The same idea is expressed in the following verse.
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Verse 7. Unlike. The wise, or themselves. Hebrew and Septuagint “inconstant.”
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Verse 8. Wicked. Still unconverted. Sirach 34:23. When they repent, and offer sacrifice with sincerity, they will obtain mercy. The Donatists abused this text, to prove that baptism conferred by wicked ministers was unavailing. But Saint Augustine shewed them, that Christ was the principal agent, and conferred grace, even though the minister might draw down judgments on his own head. Con. Parm. ii. 6.—Even pagans confessed, that sacrifices, without virtue, could afford no benefit. “God was more pleased with the prayers of the Lacedemonians, than with all the sacrifices of the Greeks,” say the idolatrous priests in Plato, Alcib. ii. Seneca de Ben. i. 5.
Proverbs
Verse 10. Instruction. Hebrew “a heavy punishment.” Bible.—The mind which gives way to vice, must have embraced some false doctrine.
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Verse 11. Before. Naked. The state of the damned is known to God. Calmet. 9:18. Calmet.
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Verse 13. Down. Compunction is salutary, but worldly grief blameable. Calmet. 25:20 and 2 Corinthians 7:10. Saint Gregory past. ii. 10.
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Verse 15. Feast. Those who repine at their condition are miserable; while the poor may be delivered from many cares. Calmet.—
O vitæ tuta facultas
Pauperis angustique laris. Luc. Phar. v.
—Under affliction every thing displeases; but all delights the cheerful temper.
Proverbs
Verse 16. Content. Septuagint “fear.” Hebrew “with trouble,” which is preferable. 1 Timothy 6:6.
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Verse 17. Calf. Or feast after sacrifice. 1 Kennicott. 17:19. Lu. 15:23.
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Verse 19. Thorns. All seems to them impossible. Calmet.—In agriculture, however, ( Bible.) “in domestic affairs, negligence is attended with more labour than diligence.” Colum. 12:2.
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Verse 21. Fool. He thinks himself the most happy of mortals. Calmet.—Septuagint “the ways of the fools are senseless.” Bible.
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Verse 22. Counsel. Hebrew “secrecy.”—Established. We put in execution without fear, what has been resolved maturely. Calmet.
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Verse 24. Above. Lit. “upon the learned.” Bible.—One path leads to the realms above. Calmet.—The wise must be intent on God. Menochius.
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Verse 26. Shall by, and so forth is not added in Hebrew and so forth nor in several Latin MSS.
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Verse 27. Troubleth. With all sorts of temporal misfortunes. A judge who receives bribes, is accursed. Exodus 23:8.—By, and so forth is not here in Hebrew but chapter 16:6. S. Cyprian (3 Test.) found it in his copy.—Faith, or fidelity and truth, as it is elsewhere expressed. Calmet. 3:3. These virtues move God to pardon.
Proverbs
Verse 28. Studieth. And speaks deliberately. Septuagint Rom. is more embarrassed in the rest of this, and the nine first verses of the following chapter, than the Complut. edition.
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Verse 30. Fat. And contributes to health. By less noble motives, the mind is gradually raised to the more excellent.
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Verse 33. Lesson. Or “what teacheth.” Humility, or docility, as those who acknowledge no master will never be wise. Matthew 23:12. Calmet.
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Sheol is the place of the dead.
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Sheol is the place of the dead.