put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. Throat. Restrain intemperance and talkativeness. Sirach 31:12. Septuagint “stretch forth thy hand, knowing that thou must prepare the like; but if thou be more insatiable, (3.) desire not his meats, for he has them of deceitful life.” They cannot afford real happiness, ( Bible.) and to vie with the rich would only reduce them to poverty. Sirach 13:2. Saint Augustine (tr. xlvii. in Joan.) explains this text of the blessed Eucharist, observing, that we must give our life for our brethren, as Christ did for us. Before communion, we must slay the old man, and subdue our passions. Calmet.—Power. Prot. “if thou be a man given to appetite.” The situation of a courtier is very critical. Bible.—Those who eat with the kings of Persia, were nicely observed by an eunuch, lest they should cast their eyes on any of his concubines. Lucian. de Merced.