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Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Verse 1. Rich, is not in Hebrew Septuagint Compl. or S. Jerom. Calmet.—But as there is not antithesis between a poor man and a fool, it ought to be inserted, as it is in the Syriac, which reads, “than he who is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.” The MS. 2 confirms “ways.” Kennicott.
It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way.
Verse 2. Soul. Wholesome and spiritual. Hebrew “the soul or life is not good.”—Stumble. “The more I make haste, the less I advance,” said Plato; (Rep. 7.) and Augustus often repeated; Sat cito, si sat benè. Sueton.
The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD.
Verse 3. Fretteth. Lit. “burneth.” Septuagint “blameth.” Hebrew “his heart rageth against the Lord.” Bible.—Thus Adam tacitly laid the blame on him, as all those who excuse themselves on account of their temper, habits, stars, the violence of temptation, and so forth Calmet.
Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
Verse 7. Only. Hebrew has lo, and the marg. lu, with the Vulg. Calmet.—The former word intimates that the words have no solidity, and the latter that they shall be his only portion who is so foolish as to trust in them. Sequens dicta non ispa; (Mont.) or ei ipsa, if we follow the margin. Bible.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
Verse 8. Mind. Hebrew “heart,” intelligence. Calmet. 15:32.—Loveth. This does not contradict the gospel; (John 12:25) as those who refrain from what the soul would crave to its own detriment, truly love it.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Verse 10. Fool. He would eat them, so as to prejudice his health.—Princes. Calmet. 30:21. Such are commonly insolent, and should attend to Ausonius. Fortunam reverenter habe.
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
Verse 11. Wrongs. The wise man is not vindictive or punctilious.
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
Verse 12. Anger. Is not their dominion enough? Having none to admonish them, they do not perceive their excesses.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
Verse 13. Through. It cannot be endured long. Calmet.—Dos est uxoria lites. Ovid. Art. 1.—“Quarrels are a wife’s dowry.”
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Verse 14. Properly. Septuagint “fitted by.” Bible.—Hence the Fathers dissuade marrying with infidels. Saint Ambrose in Lu. xvi.—All good comes from God.
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Verse 15. Hunger. Both temporal and eternal. Calmet.—Non progredi, regredi est. Saint Bernard says, “Not to advance, is to go back.”
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
Verse 16. Neglecteth. Hebrew “contemneth.” In the law of Moses, many transgressions are punished with death, but here that of the soul is meant. Calmet.
He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.
Verse 17. Lendeth. To receive interest, fœneratur. Bible.—Such usury is lawful, and God will abundantly reward acts of mercy. Calmet.—He engages his word for the poor. Saint Augustine in Ps. xxxvi.
Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
Verse 18. Killing. Prot. “crying;” or by his complaint be not deterred. Bible.—Chal. agrees with us. The law permitted parents to sell their children, and to have them stoned to death, if they declared them disobedient, (Deuteronomy 21:18. Calmet.) and riotous, verse 20. Timely chastisement may prevent such extremities. Bible.—Saint Paul dissuades unnecessary severity. Colossians 3:21.
A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
Verse 19. Thing. A child neglected will continue to steal, or to offend; ( Calmet.) while too much harshness will do no good, but tend to the damage of all parties. Bible.—Anger is productive of the worst effects.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.
Verse 21. Firm. Ignorance and weakness cause men to change.
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
Verse 22. Merciful. Hebrews 2:17. Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco. Æn. 4.—Hebrew “the desire of a man is his mercy,” (Mont. Bible.) or “shame,” (R. Levi) as it leads to sin. Genesis 6:5. All wish to be esteemed merciful.—Man of quality. Hebrew meish, “prœ viro.” Mont.—“Rich man.” Septuagint Bible.
The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
Verse 23. Life. Both temporal and eternal. Calmet. 10:27. Calmet.—With evil. Lit. “the worst,” pessima. Bible.—Sixtus V. “by the most wicked one.” The devil shall have no power over him.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Verse 24. Arm-pit. Or Hebrew tsallachath, “in the pot,” out of which he eats; which shews his negligence.—Mouth, to eat. This hyperbole indicates that he is too lazy to take the necessary sustenance. Calmet. 26:15. Calmet.—Septuagint “in his breast unjustly. Neither will he bring them to his mouth.” Bible.—He will bestow nothing, and shall reap no benefit from his avarice. Saint Bernard—He will not practise what he teaches. Saint Gregory Mor. xii. 10.
Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
Verse 25. Wicked. Hebrew “scoffer.” Chastisements have always some good effect either on the sufferer, or on the spectators, who will be cautioned not to imitate what is wrong.
He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
Verse 26. Infamous. Hebrew “a son of confusion and reproach;” a spendthrift.
If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Verse 27. Not. Hebrew seems to say the reverse. Calmet.—But we may read it with an interrogation. “Wilt thou cease?” and so forth Or the instruction here meant is of a dangerous nature. Prot. “that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” Septuagint “a son who neglects to keep the instruction of his father, shall muse on bad sayings.” Bible.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Verse 29. Hammers, (Sym.) “punishments.” Septuagint See Judges 5:25. Calmet.