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Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, and anxiety about it takes away sleep.
Verse 1. Riches. Lit. “honesty” has this sense. Bible.—The study of virtue and of the Scriptures removes temptations of the flesh. Saint Jerome ad Rust. Worthington.
Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber. In a severe disease, sleep will be broken.
Verse 2. Hand. With too much anxiety. Calmet.—Greek “the solicitude of watching will drive away slumber, and a grievous malady will moderate sleep,” (Grabe. Bible.) or “sleep will alleviate a severe illness,” as experience evinces. Calmet.
A rich man toils in gathering money together. When he rests, he is filled with his good things.
A poor man toils in lack of substance. When he rests, he becomes needy.
Verse 4. Poor. All have not equal success. Proverbs 10:22. Psalms 126:1. Drus.
He who loves gold won’t be justified. He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it.
Verse 5. Justified. He is exposed to various temptations. 1 Timothy 6:9.
Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold. Their destruction meets them face to face.
It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. Every fool will be taken by it.
Verse 7. To it. Being a sort of idol. Colossians 3:5. Calmet.—Woe. Greek “and every,” and so forth
Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless, and who doesn’t go after gold.
Verse 8. Nor, and so forth Greek (9.) who, and so forth “Pride is the worm of riches.” Saint Augustine—“In delights, chastity is endangered; and humility in the midst of riches.” Saint Bernard conv. Cler. xxx.—Not to transgress, on such occasions, is the greatest miracle. Calmet.—Man has free will, and those are happy, who, by God’s grace, do not abuse it. Worthington.
Who is he, that we may call him blessed? For he has done wonderful things among his people.
Who has been tried by it, and found perfect? Then let him boast. Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed? And to do evil, and has not done it?
His prosperity will be made sure. The congregation will proclaim his alms.
Verse 11. In, and so forth Greek Alex. “and wisdom (Grabe substitutes the Church) shall proclaim his alms.” Bible.—God will bless his riches. Calmet.
Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there. Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!”
Verse 12. Be, and so forth Greek “do not open,” ( Bible.) shew not too much greediness.
Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing. What has been created more greedy than an eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.
Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish.
Verse 14. Wicked. Jealous or avaricious, as if the person feared lest he should have to prepare the like sumptuous entertainment. Proverbs 23:1. Judas blamed the profusion of Magdalene. John 12:5.
Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point.
Verse 15. Face. Or portion set before him. 1 Kennicott. 1:5. Calmet.—When. Greek “wheresoever it, ( Bible.) or he ( Calmet.) shall look, stretch forth thy hand, and strive not with him in the dish. Judge,” and so forth Let the envious person ( Bible.) or the master be served first. Calmet.
Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hated.
Be first to stop for manners’ sake. Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend.
And if you sit among many, Don’t reach out your hand before them.
How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little. He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed.
Verse 19. Use. Greek “in all act considerately. Eat like a man,” and so forth ( Bible.) not like a beast.
Healthy sleep comes from moderate eating. He rises early, and his wits are with him. The pain of wakefulness, colic, and griping are with an insatiable man.
Verse 20. First. Yet not too soon, lest the others should seem to be gluttons. Calmet.
And if you have been forced to eat, rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest.
Verse 21. Of all. Greek “of them. How,” and so forth Bible.—Politeness is grounded on virtue. Calmet.
Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your works be skillful, and no disease will come to you.
Verse 22. Wine. Greek specifies nothing, and to eat much is unwholesome. Bible.
People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed.
Verse 23. Choler. Or the cholic. The intemperate, infrunito, ( Calmet.) Greek “insatiable,” cannot sleep. Bible.
The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate.
Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many.
Verse 25. Vomit. Some have omitted this term as indelicate; but the Scripture does not approve of intemperance, while it advises the preventing of a disorder. A man’s stomach may sometimes be innocently overcharged. On such occasions, an emetic was prescribed. The ancients had nt the same horror of it as moderns. Proverbs 23:8. Calmet.—Cicero, addressing Cæsar, says, Cum te vomere post cænam velli dixisses. Pro. R. Dejot.—And thou. Greek “hear,” and so forth
The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quarreling of the proud.
Wine is as good as life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What life is there to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.
Verse 27. Quick. Intemperance and idleness are the great sources of illness.
Wine drunk in season and in moderation is joy of heart and gladness of soul:
Verse 28. Bread. And other provisions; while the miser is contemned. Proverbs 22:9. Calmet.—Bread supports the body, and instruction the soul. If it be bad, it does the reverse. Worthington.
Wine drunk excessively is bitterness of soul, with provocation and conflict.
Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt. It diminishes strength and adds wounds.
Verse 30. Challenge. Not to fight, or rather ( Bible.) to drink. Isaiah 5:22. Calmet.
Don’t rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine. Don’t despise him in his mirth. Don’t speak a word of reproach to him. Don’t distress him by making demands of him.
Verse 31. Rebuke. Or disorder. Greek “prove,” ( Bible.) or “lay open.” Calmet.—Consilium retegis Lydo. Hor. iii. ode 21.