Proverbs xix.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1.
Rich, is not in Hebrew, Septuagint, Complutensian, or St. Jerome. (Calmet) --- But as there is no antithesis between
a poor man and a fool, it ought to be inserted, as it is in the Syriac, which reads, "than he who is perverse in his ways,
though he be rich." The Manuscript 2 confirms "ways." (Kennicott)
Ver. 2.
Soul. Wholesome and spiritual. Hebrew, "the soul or life is not good." --- Stumble. "The more I make
haste, the less I advance," said Plato; (Republic 7.) and Augustus often repeated; Sat cito, si sat bene. (Suetonius)
Ver. 3.
Fretteth. Literally, "burneth." Septuagint, "blameth." Hebrew, "his heart rageth against the Lord." (Haydock) --- Thus
Adam tacitly laid the blame on him, as all those do who excuse themselves on account of their temper, habits, stars, the violence
of temptation, &c. (Calmet)
Ver. 7.
Only. Hebrew has lo, and the margin lu, with the Vulgate. (Calmet) --- The former word intimates that
the words have no solidity, and the latter that they shall be his only portion who is so foolish as to trust
in them. Sequens dicta non ispa; (Montanus) or ei ipsa, if we follow the margin. (Haydock)
Ver. 8.
Mind. Hebrew, "heart," intelligence, chap. xv. 32. --- Loveth. This does not contradict the gospel; (John xii.
25.) as those who refrain from what the soul would crave to its own detriment, truly love it.
Ver. 10. Fool. He would eat them, so as to prejudice his health. --- Princes. Chap. xxx. 21. Such are commonly
insolent, and should attend to Ausonius. Fortunam reverenter habe.
Ver. 11.
Wrongs. The wise man is not vindictive or punctilious.
Ver. 12.
Anger. Is not their dominion enough? Having none to admonish them, they do not perceive their excesses.
Ver. 13.
Through. It cannot be endured long. (Calmet) --- Dos est uxoria lites. (Ovid, Art. 1.) --- "Quarrels are a wife's
dowry."
Ver. 14.
Properly. Septuagint, "fitted by." (Haydock) --- Hence the Fathers dissuade marrying with infidels. (St. Ambrose in
Luke xvi.) --- All good comes from God.
Ver. 15.
Hunger. Both temporal and eternal. (Calmet) --- Non progredi, regredi est. St. Bernard says, "Not to advance,
is to go back."
Ver. 16.
Neglecteth. Hebrew, "contemneth." In the law of Moses, many transgressions are punished with death, but here that of
the soul is meant. (Calmet)
Ver. 17.
Lendeth. To receive interest, fœneratur. (Haydock) --- Such usury is lawful, and God will abundantly reward
acts of mercy. (Calmet) --- He engages his word for the poor. (St. Augustine in Psalm xxxvi.)
Ver. 18.
Killing. Protestants, "crying;" or by his complaint be not deterred. (Haydock) --- Chaldean agrees with us. The law
permitted parents to sell their children, and to have them stoned to death, if they declared them disobedient, (Deuteronomy
xxi. 18.; Calmet) and riotous, ver. 20. Timely chastisement may prevent such extremities. (Haydock) --- St. Paul dissuades
unnecessary severity, Colossians iii. 21.
Ver. 19.
Thing. A child neglected will continue to steal, or to offend; (Calmet) while too much harshness will do no good, but
tend to the damage of all parties. (Haydock) --- Anger is productive of the worst effects.
Ver. 21.
Firm. Ignorance and weakness cause men to change.
Ver. 22.
Merciful. Hebrews ii. 17. Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco. (Virgil, Æneid 4.) --- Hebrew, "the desire
of a man is his mercy," (Montanus; Haydock) or "shame," (R. Levi) as it leads to sin, Genesis vi. 5. All wish to be esteemed
merciful. --- Man of quality. Hebrew meish, "prœ viro." (Montanus) --- "Rich man." (Septuagint) (Haydock)
Ver. 23.
Life. Both temporal and eternal, chap. x. 27. (Calmet) --- With evil. Literally, "the worst," pessima.
(Haydock) --- Sixtus V, "by the most wicked one." The devil shall have no power over him.
Ver. 24.
Arm-pit. Or Hebrew tsallachath, "in the pot," out of which he eats; which shews his negligence. --- Mouth,
to eat. This hyperbole indicates that he is too lazy to take the necessary sustenance, chap. xxvi. 15. (Calmet) --- Septuagint,
"in his breast unjustly. Neither will he bring them to his mouth." (Haydock) --- He will bestow nothing, and shall reap no
benefit from his avarice. (St. Bernard) --- He will not practise what he teaches. (St. Gregory, Mor. xii. 10.)
Ver. 25.
Wicked. Hebrew, "scoffer." Chastisements have always some good effect either on the sufferer, or on the spectators,
who will be cautioned not to imitate what is wrong.
Ver. 26.
Infamous. Hebrew, "a son of confusion and reproach;" a spendthrift.
Ver. 27.
Not. Hebrew seems to say the reverse. (Calmet) --- But we may read it with an interrogation. "Wilt thou cease?" &c.
Or the instruction here meant is of a dangerous nature. Protestants, "that causeth to err from the words of
knowledge." Septuagint, "a son who neglects to keep the instruction of his father, shall muse on bad sayings." (Haydock)
Ver. 29.
Hammers, (Symmachus) "punishments." (Septuagint) See Judges v. 25. (Calmet)
