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Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
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.
A good man shall obtain favor from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
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.
A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
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.
The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.
Verse 7. Turn. In a moment the wicked is not to be found. Calmet. 10:25 and Psalms 36:35.
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
Verse 8. Learning. We apply to those things which we love, and those who study sacred ( Calmet.) or useful sciences, shall receive praise.
Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
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.
A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
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.
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
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
The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
Verse 12. Men. They wish to supplant one another.
An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
Verse 13. Lips. Liars often become the victims of their own deceit.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.
A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
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.
He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
Verse 17. That. Hebrew “the truth announceth justice.” We easily give credit to an honest man. Calmet.
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
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.
Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
Verse 19. Frameth. He studies how to escape detection. Hebrew “a lying tongue is but for a moment;” it is presently discovered.
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
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.
No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
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.”
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
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.
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
Verse 25. Grief. Septuagint “a fearful speech troubleth the heart of a (just) man.” Grabe. Bible.
A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
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.
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
Verse 27. Gain. Hebrew and Septuagint “his prey,” ( Calmet.) or what “he took in hunting.” Prot. Bible.
In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
Verse 28. Bye-way. Of vice. Hebrew “and a way which leadeth to death,” or “its paths conduct to death.” Calmet.