But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

Ver. 8. But the liberal deviseth liberal things.] Beneficus beneficia cogitat: munificentius consultat, et consulit, in opposition to the churl, Isa 32:7 He is of a public spirit, and studieth how and where to do most good. Augustus Caesar was for this called Pater patriae; Father of fathers, Charles the Great, Pater orbis; Father of the world, Claudian thus bespake Honorius -

Tu civem patremque geras, tu consule cunctis,

Non tibi; nec tua te moveant, sed publica damna. ”

“You manage the state and your household, you advise everyone,

But not yourself; neither stir yourself, but damage the public state.”

And by liberal things shall he stand, ] One would think he should fall rather; but he knows what he does, and that not getting but giving, not hoarding but distributing, is the way to thrive.

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