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But she reaches from one end to the other with full strength, and orders all things well.
Verse 1. She. The uncreated wisdom is infinite; and the created is the most excellent of God’s gifts. Worthington.—Sweetly. God is every where present, (Saint Bernard) and directeth all with ease. Saint Augustine ep. ad Dard. q. i.
I loved her and sought her from my youth. I sought to take her for my bride. I became enamoured by her beauty.
She glorifies her noble birth by living with God. The Sovereign Lord of all loves her.
For she is initiated into the knowledge of God, and she chooses his works.
Verse 4. Works. Directing us to imitate them, as much as possible. Bible.—She teaches us how to refer all to God, ( Menochius.) while mere philosophers stop at vain speculations, and barren admiration of the Deity.
But if riches are a desired possession in life, what is richer than wisdom, which makes all things?
And if understanding is effective, who more than wisdom is an architect of the things that exist?
Verse 6. Are. Wisdom is an universal teacher. But she particularly inculcates virtue. All science which has not this tendency is vain. Calmet.
Greek she.
If a man loves righteousness, the fruits of wisdom’s labor are virtues, for she teaches soberness, understanding, righteousness, and courage. There is nothing in life more profitable for people than these.
Greek her labors
And if anyone longs for wide experience, she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come. She understands subtleties of speeches and interpretations of dark sayings. She foresees signs and wonders, and the issues of seasons and times.
Verse 8. Speeches. Rhetoric, (Grot.) or doubtful matters, as Solomon discovered the real mother. 3 Kennicott. 3:27.—Arguments. Greek, “riddles,” which were much in fashion. 3 Kennicott. 10:1. Calmet.—Wonders. Such as comets and eclipses. Menochius.—When Anaxagoras discovered the latter, he durst not write, but only instructed his disciples in secret, for fear of being taken for an atheist, or magician. Plut. in Nicias.—The sciences, which are now common, were formerly confined to few; and the people looked upon eclipses as so many prodigies. The wise man is possessed of all natural sciences, and can predict the changes of weather, and so forth—Ages. Forming a judgment of futurity from past occurrences.
Therefore I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she is one who would give me good counsel, and encourage me in cares and grief.
Because of her, I will have glory among multitudes, and honor in the sight of elders, though I am young.
I will be found keen when I give judgment. I will be admired in the presence of rulers.
When I am silent, they will wait for me. When I open my lips, they will heed what I say. If I continue speaking, they will put their hands on their mouths.
Because of her, I will have immortality, and leave behind an eternal memory to those who come after me.
Verse 13. After me. He speaks to the great, who are more sensible of glory. Solomon’s fame would have continued untarnished, if he had not fallen, ( Calmet.) and we may hope that he repented, and verified this prediction. Bible.—It is not certain that he obtained immortal glory. Worthington.
I will govern peoples. Nations will be subjected to me.
Dreaded monarchs will fear me when they hear of me. Among the people, I will show myself to be good, and courageous in war.
Verse 15. Of me. Wisdom is the best protection.—Good and valiant. These are the two most essential qualifications of kings.
When I come into my house, I will find rest with her. For conversation with her has no bitterness, and living with her has no pain, but gladness and joy.
When I considered these things in myself, and thought in my heart how immortality is in kinship to wisdom,
and in her friendship is good delight, and in the labors of her hands is wealth that doesn’t fail, and understanding is in her companionship, and great renown in having fellowship with her words, I went about seeking how to take her to myself.
Now I was a clever child, and received a good soul.
Verse 19. Received. “By lot,” sortitus, ( Bible.) to exclude all preceding merit. Saint Augustine de Gen. lit. x. 18.—Good soul. Natural dispositions (Pineda) are perfected by grace and labour. Calmet.
Or rather, being good, I came into an undefiled body.
Verse 20. More good. The pre-existence of souls seems to be insinuated, though this is not clear, and the opinion is now rejected. Some are born with a better disposition for learning than others. Saint Augustine con. Jul. iv. 3.—Yet none possess any seeds of virtue by nature, or are more infected than others, with original sin, as some heretics would assert. Calmet.
But perceiving that I could not otherwise possess wisdom unless God gave her to me— yes, and to know and understand by whom the grace is given— I pleaded with the Lord and implored him, and with my whole heart I said:
Verse 21. Continent. All good must come from God. Bible.—Chastity cannot be preserved without his aid. Saint Augustine Conf. vi. 11.—Yet this seems not to be the literal sense. Solomon prays for the acquisition of wisdom, ( Calmet. Sirach 6:28 and 15:1. Menochius.) which includes continence, religion, and every virtue. Bible.