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31:1 [Vigilia honestatis tabefaciet carnes, et cogitatus illius auferet somnum.
*H Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.


Ver. 1. Riches. Lit. "honesty" has this sense. H. — The study of virtue and of the Scriptures removes temptations of the flesh. S. Jer. ad Rust. W.

31:2 Cogitatus praescientiae avertit sensum, et infirmitas gravis sobriam facit animam.
*H The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.


Ver. 2. Hand. With too much anxiety. C. — Gr. "the solicitude of watching will drive away slumber, and a grievous malady will moderate sleep," (Grabe. H.) or "sleep will alleviate a severe illness," as experience evinces. C.

31:3 Laboravit dives in congregatione substantiae, et in requie sua replebitur bonis suis.
The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.
31:4 Laboravit pauper in diminutione victus, et in fine inops fit.
*H The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.


Ver. 4. Poor. All have not equal success. Prov. x. 22. Ps. cxxvi. 1. Drus.

31:5 Qui aurum diligit non justificabitur, et qui insequitur consumptionem replebitur ex ea.
*H He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.


Ver. 5. Justified. He is exposed to various temptations. 1 Tim. vi. 9.

31:6 Multi dati sunt in auri casus, et facta est in specie ipsius perditio illorum.
Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.
31:7 Lignum offensionis est aurum sacrificantium : vae illis qui sectantur illud ! et omnis imprudens deperiet in illo.
*H Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.


Ver. 7. To it. Being a sort of idol. Col. iii. 5. C. — Woe. Gr. "and every," &c.

31:8 Beatus dives qui inventus est sine macula, et qui post aurum non abiit, nec speravit in pecunia et thesauris.
*H Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.


Ver. 8. Nor, &c. Gr. (9.) who, &c. "Pride is the worm of riches." S. Aug. — "In delights, chastity is endangered; and humility in the midst of riches." S. Bern. conv. Cler. xxx. — Not to transgress, on such occasions, is the greatest miracle. C. — Man has free will, and those are happy, who, by God's grace, do not abuse it. W.

31:9 Quis est hic ? et laudabimus eum : fecit enim mirabilia in vita sua.
Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
31:10 Qui probatus est in illo, et perfectus est, erit illi gloria aeterna : qui potuit transgredi, et non est transgressus ; facere mala, et non fecit.
Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:
31:11 Ideo stabilita sunt bona illius in Domino, et eleemosynas illius enarrabit omnis ecclesia sanctorum.]
*H Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.


Ver. 11. In, &c. Gr. Alex. "and wisdom (Grabe substitutes the Church) shall proclaim his alms." H. — God will bless his riches. C.

31:12 [Supra mensam magnam sedisti ? non aperias super illam faucem tuam prior.
*H Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.


Ver. 12. Be, &c. Gr. "do not open," (H.) shew not too much greediness.

31:13 Non dicas sic : Multa sunt, quae super illam sunt.
Say not: There are many things which are upon it.
31:14 Memento quoniam malus est oculus nequam.
*H Remember that a wicked eye is evil.


Ver. 14. Wicked. Jealous or avaricious, as if the person feared lest he should have to prepare the like sumptuous entertainment. Prov. xxiii. 1. Judas blamed the profusion of Magdalene. Jo. xii. 5.

31:15 Nequius oculo quid creatum est ? ideo ab omni facie sua lacrimabitur, cum viderit.
*H What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.


Ver. 15. Face. Or portion set before him. 1 K. i. 5. C. — When. Gr. "wheresoever it, (H.) or he (C.) shall look, stretch not forth thy hand, and strive not with him in the dish. Judge," &c. Let the envious person (H.) or the master be served first. C.

31:16 Ne extendas manum tuam prior, et invidia contaminatus erubescas.
Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.
31:17 Ne comprimaris in convivio.
Be not hasty in a feast.
31:18 Intellige quae sunt proximi tui ex teipso.
Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.
31:19 Utere quasi homo frugi his quae tibi apponuntur : ne, cum manducas multum, odio habearis.
*H Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.


Ver. 19. Use. Gr. "in all act considerately. Eat like a man," &c. (H.) not like a beast.

31:20 Cessa prior causa disciplinae : et noli nimius esse, ne forte offendas.
*H Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.


Ver. 20. First. Yet not too soon, lest the others should seem to be gluttons. C.

31:21 Et si in medio multorum sedisti, prior illis ne extendas manum tuam, nec prior poscas bibere.
*H And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all, and be not the first to ask for drink.


Ver. 21. Of all. Gr. "of them. How," &c. H. — Politeness is grounded on virtue. C.

31:22 Quam sufficiens est homini erudito vinum exiguum ! et in dormiendo non laborabis ab illo, et non senties dolorem.
*H How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.


Ver. 22. Wine. Gr. specifies nothing, and to eat much is unwholesome. H.

31:23 Vigilia, cholera et tortura viro infrunito,
*H Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:


Ver. 23. Choler. Or the cholic. The intemperate, infrunito, (C.) Gr. "insatiable," cannot sleep. H.

31:24 somnus sanitatis in homine parco : dormiet usque mane, et anima illius cum ipso delectabitur.
Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.
31:25 Et si coactus fueris in edendo multum, surge e medio, evome, et refrigerabit te, et non adduces corpori tuo infirmitatem.
*H And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.


Ver. 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 not the same horror of it as moderns. Prov. xxiii. 8. C. — Cicero, addressing Cæsar, says, Cum te vomere post cænam velli dixisses. Pro. R. Dejot. — And thou. Gr. "hear," &c.

31:26 Audi me, fili, et ne spernas me, et in novissimo invenies verba mea.
Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.
31:27 In omnibus operibus tuis esto velox, et omnis infirmitas non occurret tibi.
*H In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.


Ver. 27. Quick. Intemperance and idleness are the great sources of illness.

31:28 Splendidum in panibus benedicent labia multorum, et testimonium veritatis illius fidele.
*H The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.


Ver. 28. Bread. And other provisions; while the miser is contemned. Prov. xxii. 9. C. — Bread supports the body, and instruction the soul. If it be bad, it does the reverse. W.

31:29 Nequissimo in pane murmurabit civitas, et testimonium nequitiae illius verum est.
Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.
31:30 Diligentes in vino noli provocare : multos enim exterminavit vinum.
*H Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.


Ver. 30. Challenge. Not to fight, or rather (H.) to drink. Is. v. 22. C.

* Footnote * Judith 13 : 4 But Holofernes lay on his bed, fast asleep, being exceedingly drunk.
31:31 Ignis probat ferrum durum : sic vinum corda superborum arguet in ebrietate potatum.
*H Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.


Ver. 31. Rebuke. Or disorder. Gr. "prove," (H.) or "lay open." C. — Consilium retegis Lydo. Hor. iii. ode 21.

31:32 Aequa vita hominibus vinum in sobrietate : si bibas illud moderate, eris sobrius.
*H Wine taken with sobriety is equal life to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.


Ver. 32. Taken. Gr. "is as good as life," &c. — Thou shalt. Gr. "what," &c.

31:33 Quae vita est ei qui minuitur vino ?
*H What is his life, who is diminished with wine?


Ver. 33. With. Gr. "destitute of wine, (35.) and this was created to," &c.

31:34 Quid defraudat vitam ? mors.
What taketh away life? death.
31:35 Vinum in jucunditatem creatum est, et non in ebrietatem ab initio.
*H Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.


Ver. 35. And not. Gr. (36.) "sufficient wine taken in season is the," &c.

* Footnote * Psalms 103 : 15 And that wine may cheer the heart of man. That he may make the face cheerful with oil: and that bread may strengthen man's heart.
* Footnote * Proverbs 31 : 4 Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
31:36 Exsultatio animae et cordis vinum moderate potatum.
Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.
31:37 Sanitas est animae et corpori sobrius potus.
*H Sober drinking is health to soul and body.


Ver. 37. Sober. Gr. (39.) "wine," &c. H. — Anacharsis said that "the vine bore three clusters; the first of pleasure, the second of drunkenness, the third of discontent." Laert. i.

31:38 Vinum multum potatum irritationem, et iram, et ruinas multas facit.
Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels, and wrath, and many ruins.
31:39 Amaritudo animae vinum multum potatum.
Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.
31:40 Ebrietatis animositas, imprudentis offensio, minorans virtutem, et faciens vulnera.
The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.
31:41 In convivio vini non arguas proximum, et non despicias eum in jucunditate illius.
Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in his mirth.
31:42 Verba improperii non dicas illi, et non premas illum repetendo.]
*H Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.


Ver. 42. Reproach. Alexander transfixed Clytus for so doing. Curt. viii. — Again. By the pernicious custom of drinking healths, which still prevails in some countries, (C.) and occasions people to get drunk. Drus. — Such abuses ought to be discouraged by every one. H.

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