*H How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.
Ver. 1. Prayer. A friend's excuses must be heard. C. — Gr. "and he who apologises shall be preserved from ruin." Grabe adds, "how good is it for one who has been rebuked," &c. v. 4. H. — Thus the guilty merit pardon, and the innocent obtain a greater reward, and satisfy for former offences. W.
*H The lust of an eunuch shall deflour a young maiden:
Ver. 2. Maiden. Or "woman," (H.) who has been entrusted to his care. M. — Such people are not free from concupiscence, which must be restrained by the virtue of chastity. S. Aug. c. Jul. vi. 14.
*H He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.
Ver. 8. Hated. As the pests of society. See Cic. off. 1.
*H There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.
Ver. 9. Loss. The prosperity of the wicked must not be envied. Ps. xxxviii. 1. 8. C.
*H There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.
Ver. 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 was engraven on his tomb. — Estate. By merit.
*H There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold.
Ver. 12. Sevenfold. As the merchandise was good for nothing, which the miser had obtained for a little money, thinking to save thereby.
*H A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
Ver. 13. Graces. Or favours bestowed with ill-nature.
*H The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.
Ver. 14. Sevenfold. He expects more. C. — His intention is full of guile, who flattereth and detracteth for the sake of gain. W.
*H He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.
Ver. 15. Much. As Dido did. "This is to make a display of favours to excite hatred." Sen. Ben.
*H To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.
Ver. 16. Hateful. He seems to distrust you, and will not permit his goods to be of any service. C.
*H A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.
Ver. 17. Have. Gr. "say I have," &c. — His. Gr. "my," as also v. 18. H. — Such is the language of the fool.
*H For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.
Ver. 19. That, &c. Riches and poverty are both wrong to misers and fools. Gr. "he had as well be without any thing." C.
*H The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
Ver. 20. Pavement. It is equally destructive.
*H A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise.
Ver. 21. Grace, (acharis) impolite and importunate. C.
*H There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked.
Ver. 23. Shall. Gr. adds, "not." Yet if a person has had the will to offend, he must repent, though he could not put it in execution. H.
*H There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.
Ver. 24. Himself. Being afraid to beg for necessaries, or given too much.
*H There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
Ver. 25. Nothing. People are always displeased, when a promise is broken. C.
*H A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.
Ver. 26. Man. "It is the vice of slaves." Arist. Ethic.
*H A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.
Ver. 27. Lying. He exposes honour and virtue, without making restitution. C. — He throws all into confusion, and we can trust him with nothing. M.
*H A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones.
Ver. 29. A. Gr. adds a title, "discourses of proverbs."
*H He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.
Ver. 30. And...exalted, is not in Gr. but explains the meaning of the former sentence. — Escape. Gr. "obtain pardon for iniquity." H. — The great will protect him.
*H Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.
Ver. 31. Make. Gr. "like a bit in the mouth, remove corrections." Ex. xxiii. 8. C.
* Footnote * Exodus 23 : 8
Neither shalt thou take bribes, which even blind the wise, and pervert the words of the just.* Footnote * Deuteronomy 16 : 19
And not go aside to either part. Thou shalt not accept person nor gifts: for gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and change the words of the just.*H O Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both?
Ver. 32. Both? He who, through a false humility refuses to take charge of others, resembles a man who locks up his corn in time of scarcity. S. Greg. Part. iii. 26. Matt. xxv. C. — Wisdom must be shewn for the benefit of others. W.
*H Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.
Ver. 33. Folly. He may still appear to have some sense, and injures none. — It is convenient to conceal faults, provided they be amended. W.