Like a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the heart of a proud man. Like a spy, he looks for your weakness.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 30. Children. If they take wicked ways, it is a stain on their father’s memory; and though the latter were blameless, it must greatly disturb their repose. Calmet.—Children may here denote the works of man, which can only then be pronounced perfect, when he is incapable of falling from the state of virtue. Bible.
Dicique beatus
Ante obitum nemo supremaque funera debet. Metam. iii.
—Solon inculcated this truth to Crœsus, and when the latter was about to be burnt to death by Cyrus, he called thrice upon Solon’s name; the reason of which being told the conqueror, he took pity on the fallen king, and treated him with great respect. Laert. 1. Plut. in Solon—These sages only regarded the goods of this life. But the Christian’s real happiness commences after death. Mors … gratio missionis est. Saint Ambrose Mort. viii.