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I myself am also mortal, like everyone else, and am a descendant of one formed first and born of the earth.
Verse 1. Myself. Solomon acquired wisdom, and all others may do it.
Many authorities read a mortal man.
I molded into flesh in the time of ten months in my mother’s womb, being compacted in blood from the seed of man and pleasure of marriage.
I also, when I was born, drew in the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth, uttering, like all, for my first voice, the same cry.
I was nursed with care in swaddling clothes.
For no king had a different beginning,
but all men have one entrance into life, and a common departure.
Verse 6. Out. Augustus asked a little before his death: “Have we acted our part (personæ) well enough?” Suet.—Life is like a stage; before and after which, all are equal.
For this cause I prayed, and understanding was given to me. I asked, and a spirit of wisdom came to me.
Verse 7. Wherefore, as I had no advantage over others naturally, I asked for the wisdom requisite to fill so important an office. 3 Kennicott. 9:10. Calmet.—Solomon, whose sayings are here recorded, prayed for wisdom. Worthington.
I preferred her before sceptres and thrones. I considered riches nothing in comparison to her.
Verse 8. Preferred. I did not ask for extensive dominions, and so forth Calmet.—In Proverbs 8:10. and so forth as well as here, some things refer to the uncreated, and others to created wisdom. Menochius.
Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold in her presence is a little sand, and silver will be considered as clay before her.
I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her bright shining is never laid to sleep.
All good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches are in her hands.
And I rejoiced over them all because wisdom leads them; although I didn’t know that she was their mother.
As I learned without guile, I impart without grudging. I don’t hide her riches.
Verse 13. Not. Ecclus. 20:32. Matthew 25:25. Such disinterestedness deserves to be imitated by all the learned. Calmet. 6:25.
For she is a treasure for men that doesn’t fail, and those who use it obtain friendship with God, commended by the gifts which they present through discipline.
Verse 14. God. Coming near to him. Calmet. 6:20 and 1 Corinthians 6:16. The wise do not seek for glory; but it follow them.
But may God grant that I may speak his judgment, and to conceive thoughts worthy of what has been given me; because he is one who guides even wisdom and who corrects the wise.
Verse 15. Would. With sincerity, and in a sententious and captivating manner. 3 Kennicott. 9:24. Calmet.—Thoughts. Præsumere has this meaning. Bible.—Presumption is far removed from true wisdom. Solomon manifested his greatness of soul by his buildings, and wise regulations.
For both we and our words are in his hand, with all understanding and skill in various crafts.
For he himself gave me an unerring knowledge of the things that are, to know the structure of the universe and the operation of the elements;
the beginning, end, and middle of times; the alternations of the solstices and the changes of seasons;
Verse 18. Times. Or “things.” Saint Ambrose Abr. ii. 7.—Times past, present, and future, (Orig. hom. xxi.) or the three seasons;; autumn, the beginning of the civil year, summer the end, and spring or winter, the middle. Grot.—Their. The “seasons,” as the Greek implies, ( Calmet.) and the vicissitudes of heat and cold. Menochius.
the circuits of years and the positions of stars;
the natures of living creatures and the raging of wild beasts; the violence of winds and the thoughts of men; the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots.
Or, spirits
All things that are either secret or manifest I learned,
for wisdom, that is the architect of all things, taught me. For there is in her a spirit that is quick to understand, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, freely moving, clear in utterance, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen, unhindered,
Verse 22. Holy. These are the proper epithets of the spirit of wisdom, ( Worthington.) or of the Holy Ghost. Corn. a Lap. Lorin.—They may also be applicable to the wisdom which resides in man: one, in essence, manifold, in its operations, subtle, knowing all things; (chapter 1:7) eloquent, to persuade; ( Calmet.) Greek, “easily moved, or moving,” ευκινητον, ( Bible.) active. Greek “open ( Calmet.) or entire.”
beneficent, loving toward man, steadfast, sure, free from care, all-powerful, all-surveying, and penetrating through all spirits that are quick to understand, pure, most subtle.
For wisdom is more mobile than any motion. Yes, she pervades and penetrates all things by reason of her purity.
Verse 24. For wisdom, which is the same with the Spirit, and the Son of God. verse 25.
For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty. Therefore nothing defiled can find entrance into her.
Verse 25. Glory. As Saint Paul testifies of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:3. Euseb. Demon. Evang. iv. 5.—It may also be understood of the wisdom given to the prophets and saints. verse 27. Plato thought this to be a vapour, or fire proceeding from God. In Protag. Philo. de Som.—Some apply the passage to the blessed Virgin. Corn. a Lap. verse 26. Calmet. See Proverbs 1:2. Worthington.
For she is a reflection of everlasting light, an unspotted mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.
Verse 26. Goodness. This is particularly noticed, as he speaks of the favours received. It was also an effect of infinite goodness, that the Deity should communicate itself substantially, in the generation of the Son, and the procession of the Holy Ghost. Menochius.
Although she is one, she has power to do all things. Remaining in herself, she renews all things. From generation to generation passing into holy souls, she makes friends of God and prophets.
Verse 27. Prophets. No age or nation has been left destitute by God. Among the Gentiles, Job was a saint. Bible.—The philosophers also knew God, (Romans 1:21) and taught many important truths, ( Calmet.) though they erred in other respects, and dishonoured their profession. True religion has always subsisted, and saints, ( Bible.) yea even pagan philosophers, have borne witness to the truth. Clem. Alex. and so forth Calmet.
For God loves nothing as much as one who dwells with wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun, and above all the constellations of the stars. She is better than light.
For daylight yields to night, but evil does not prevail against wisdom.
Verse 30. Evil. Or disgrace. Grot.—The brightest days are succeeded by night. The divine wisdom never fails, though that of man is subject to change, as Solomon has taught us by his own woeful example. Calmet.