Proverbs 6

Verse 1. Hand. Agreements were made by shaking hands, Isaiah 62:8. Xen. Anab. iii.—Stranger. Septuagint “enemy.” He will presently be such, or thy friend’s creditor will soon lay hold on thee. By standing surety for another, we expose ourselves to be ruined by his negligence. Calmet.—The Persians had a horror chiefly of lying and debts. Herod. i. 138.—All sureties are not condemned, but only such as are inconsiderate. Menochius.—A diligent compliance with engagements is commended. Worthington.

Verse 3. Make. Hebrew “humble thyself, and made sure thy friend,” (Prot.) entreating ( Bible.) and forcing him to pay his debts. The Fathers apply this to pastors, who have undertaken to direct others. Their soul is at stake. Saint Gregory Calmet.

Verse 8. Harvest. The economy and diligence of this littel republic is admirable. Pliny, xxx. 11.—Some copies of the Septuagint add with Saint Ambrose (Hex. v. []1. and so forth Calmet.) “or go to the bee, and behold what a worker it is, and how beautiful is its work; whose labours kings and private people use for health. But it is desirable and glorious to all; and though it be weak in strength, by the love of wisdom it has got forward” ( Bible.) in esteem. Calmet.—Nature has given the form of a monarchy in bees, and of a democracy in the regulations of the ant. Tournemine.

Verse 11. A traveller. Septuagint add, “wicked,” and Hebrew gives the idea of a robber. Menochius.—But, and so forth This is not in Hebrew Complut. or S. Jerom. Calmet.

Verse 12. Apostate. Hebrew “of Belial, without restraint of religion and law. Calmet.—Deuteronomy 13:13. Menochius.—Every one who sins through malice and particularly heretics, employ all their members to pervert others. Worthington.—Mouth. No reliance can be had on his promises. Calmet.

Verse 13. Finger. These signs imply haughtiness, and so forth Psalms 34:19. Isaiah 58:9. The posture indicates the interior sentiments, (Saint Ambrose off. i. 18.) insomuch, that Saint Ambrose would not receive among the clergy one whose gestures were too light. The Persians still speak by signs. Calmet.

Verse 16. Detesteth. This expression does not always mean that the last is worse than the former. Menochius.—All the six sins are damnable, but the seventh is here, most so, being against charity and unity, and the devil’s sin. Worthington.—Lying seems to be reprobated by three different terms. Calmet.

Verse 23. Instruction. Given for our improvement, ( Bible.) with charity. See Deuteronomy 6:6. Psalms 18:9.

Verse 24. Stranger. This is often inculcated, because nothing is more dangerous in youth, nor more contrary to the study of wisdom.

Verse 26. Woman. Who is married, exposes her lover to the danger of death. She chooses the most accomplished men, while the harlot receives the first comer. Calmet.

Verse 27. Burn. No one can deal with an adulteress without guilt. Menochius.—All probable occasions of sin must be shunned. Worthington.

Verse 29. Clean. Or be left unpunished. No crime disturbs the order of society so much, nor is pardoned with more difficulty.

Verse 30. The fault is not so great, and so forth The sin of theft is not so great, as to be compared with adultery: especially when a person pressed with hunger (which is the case here spoken of) steals to satisfy nature. Moreover the damage done by theft may much more easily be repaired, then the wrong done by adultery. But this does not hinder but that theft also is a mortal sin, forbidden by one of the ten commandments. Challoner.—Hebrew “they will not despise a thief, when he hath stolen to fill his soul, when he is hunger.” Mont. Bible.—This was commonly supposed to be his motive, and he was only condemned to make restitution, without any further disgrace. Calmet. 19:24. Exodus 22:1. But what necessity could the adulterer plead? Both he and the woman must suffer death. Leviticus 20:10.

Verse 31. Seven-fold. Or as much as may be required. The law never subjected the thief to restore above five-fold. If he had not enough, his person might be sold. Calmet.

Verse 32. Folly. Lit. “want,” inopiam. Hebrew “is faint-hearted, corrupting his own soul, he will do that.” Bible.

Verse 35. Gifts. “A husband would rather hear that his wife had been slain, than that she had been defiled.” Saint Jerome in Amos vi.