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There is a reproof that is not timely; and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent.
Verse 1. Prayer. A friend’s excuses must be heard. Calmet.—Greek “and he who apologises shall be preserved from ruin.” Grabe adds, “how good it is for one who has been rebuked,” and so forth verse 4. Bible.—Thus the guilty merit pardon, and the innocent obtain a greater reward, and satisfy for former offences. Worthington.
How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry. He who confesses will be kept back from harm.
Verse 2. Maiden. Or “woman,” ( Bible.) who has been entrusted to his care. Menochius.—Such people are not free from concupiscence, which must be restrained by the virtue of chastity. Saint Augustine c. Jul. vi. 14.
As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin, so is he who executes judgments with violence.
There is one who keeps silent and is found wise; and there is one who is hated for his much talk.
There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make; And there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak.
A wise man will be silent until his time has come, but the braggart and fool will miss his time.
He who uses many words will be abhorred. He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it.
Verse 8. Hated. As the pests of society. See Cic. off. 1.
There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; and there is a gain that turns to loss.
Verse 9. Loss. The prosperity of the wicked must not be envied. Psalms 38:1, 8. Calmet.
There is a gift that will not profit you; and there is a gift that pays back double.
There are losses because of glory; and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate.
Verse 11. Glory. Galba “would have been universally deemed worthy of the empire, if he had not reigned.” Tacit. Hist. 1.—Adrian VI. thought the pontificate the greatest misfortune to which he had been exposed; and this observation ws engraven on his tomb.—Estate. By merit.
There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again sevenfold.
Verse 12. Sevenfold. As the merchandise was good for nothing, which the miser had obtained for a little money, thinking to save thereby.
He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted.
Verse 13. Graces. Or favours bestowed with ill-nature.
The gift of a fool will not profit you, for he looks for repayment many times instead of one.
Verse 14. Sevenfold. He expects more. Calmet.—His intention is full of guile, who flattereth and detracteth for the sake of gain. Worthington.
A line of this verse is here omitted by the best authorities.
He will give little and insult much. He will open his mouth like a crier. Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back. Such a one is a hateful man.
Verse 15. Much. As Dido did. “This is to make a display of favours to excite hatred.” Sen. Ben.
The fool will say, “I have no friend, and I have no thanks for my good deeds. Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.”
Verse 16. Hateful. He seems to distrust you, and will not permit his goods to be of any service. Calmet.
How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn!
Verse 17. Have. Greek “say I have,” and so forth—His. Greek “my,” as also verse 18. Bible.—Such is the language of the fool.
The latter part of verse 17 is omitted by the best authorities.
A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come speedily.
A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
Verse 19. That, and so forth Riches and poverty are both wrong to misers and fools. Greek “he had as well be without any thing.” Calmet.
A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he won’t tell it at the proper time.
Verse 20. Pavement. It is equally destructive.
There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he will not be troubled.
Verse 21. Grace, (acharis) impolite and importunate. Calmet.
There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it.
There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; and he makes him his enemy for nothing.
Verse 23. Shall. Greek adds, “not.” Yet if a person has had the will to offend, he must repent, though the could not put it in execution. Bible.
A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
Verse 24. Himself. Being afraid to beg for necessaries, or given too much.
A thief is better than a man who is continually lying, but they both will inherit destruction.
Verse 25. Nothing. People are always displeased, when a promise is broken. Calmet.
The destination of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually.
Verse 26. Man. “It is the vice of slaves.” Arist. Ethic.
He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men.
Verse 27. Lying. He exposes honour and virtue, without making restitution. Calmet.—He throws all into confusion, and we can trust him with nothing. Menochius.
He who tills his land will raise his harvest high. He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity.
Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.
Verse 29. A. Greek adds a title, “discourses of proverbs.”
Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight— what profit is in either of them?
Verse 30. And … exalted, is not in Greek but explains the meaning of the former sentence.—Escape. Greek “obtain pardon for iniquity.” Bible.—The great will protect him.
Better is a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom.
Verse 31. Make. Greek “like a bit in the mouth, remove corrections.” Exodus 23:8. Calmet.