_A wise son [heareth] his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke._ Ver. 1. A wise son heareth his father's instruction.] Heb., Is the instruction or discipline of his father; he was not _natus sapiens,_ as Appollonius, _sed factus,_ _a_ not born wise to salvation, but made so by his... [ Continue Reading ]
A man shall eat good by the fruit of [his] mouth: but the soul of the transgressors [shall eat] violence. Ver. 2. _A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 12:14 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 10:6 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Mat 12:37 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Ver. 3. _He that keepeth his mouth._] As the guard keepeth the gates in a siege. God hath set a double guard of lips and teeth before this gate, and yet, unless he himself set the watch, and keep... [ Continue Reading ]
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and [hath] nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. Ver. 4. _The soul of the sluggard desireth, &c._] _Vult, et non vult piger_ - so the Vulgate reads it. The sluggard would, and he would not; he would have the end, but he would not use the means;... [ Continue Reading ]
A righteous [man] hateth lying: but a wicked [man] is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Ver. 5. _A righteous man hateth lying._] Hateth it as hell. Rom 12:9 _a_ "I hate and abhor lying," saith David; Psa 119:163 and yet, among other corruptions, he had an inclination to this sin. See how roundly he t... [ Continue Reading ]
Righteousness keepeth [him that is] upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. Ver. 6. _Righteousness keepeth him that is upright._] That, though belied or otherwise abused, he will not let go his integrity. Job 27:5 David's "feet stood on an even place." Psa 26:12 The spouse, thou... [ Continue Reading ]
There is that maketh himself rich, yet [hath] nothing: [there is] that maketh himself poor, yet [hath] great riches. Ver. 7. _There is that maketh himself rich._] Such πτωχαλαζονες (as the witty Greek calls them) there are not few, that stretch their wing beyond their nest, that bear a port beyond... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke._ Ver. 8. The ransom of a man's life are his riches.] They may help a man out at a dead lift, and get him a release out of captivity, or a lease of his life. "Slay us not," say they, Jer 41:8 "for we have treasures in the... [ Continue Reading ]
The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. Ver. 9. _The light of the righteous rejoiceth._] As the sun rejoiceth to run his race, and seemeth sometimes to suffer eclipse, but doth not. _a_ A saint's joy is as the light of the sun, fed by heavenly influence, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom._ Ver. 10. _Only by pride cometh contention._] Heb., _Dabit iurgium._ Pride, if there be no cause of contention given, will make it. _Transcendo, non obedio, perturbo,_ is the motto written upon pride's triple crown. A proud pe... [ Continue Reading ]
Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Ver. 11. _Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished._] _De male quaesitis vix gaudet tertius haeres,_ _a_ Ill-gotten goods fly away without taking leave of the owner; leaving nothing but the print of ta... [ Continue Reading ]
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life. Ver. 12. _Hope deferred maketh the heart sick._] Hope's hours are full of eternity; and how many see we lie languishing at hope's hospital, as he at the pool of Bethesda! _Spes interrenis incerti nomen boni s... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. Ver. 13. _Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed._] Bishop Banner's chaplain called the Bible, in scorn, his little pretty God's book. Gifford and Rainold said it contained _doctrinam peregrinam... [ Continue Reading ]
The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Ver. 14. _The law of the wise is as a well of life._] Or, The law to the wise is a fountain, &c., whence he may draw the best directions and helps to holiness and happiness. It confines him to live in that element wher... [ Continue Reading ]
Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors [is] hard. Ver. 15. _Good understanding giveth favour._] See this exemplified in Joseph, David, Daniel, Paul. Acts 27:43 _; _ Act 28:2 God oft speaketh for such in the hearts of their enemies, who cannot but admire their piety and patie... [ Continue Reading ]
Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly. Ver. 16. _Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge._] Observes circumstances, and deports himself with discretion; thrusts not himself into unnecessary dangers; carves not a piece of his heart but to those he is well as... [ Continue Reading ]
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador [is] health. Ver. 17. _A wicked messenger falleth into mischief._] Incurs the displeasure and just revenge of them that sent him, or, at least, of God, in case of his slackness. How much more then wicked ministers, those "messenger... [ Continue Reading ]
Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. Ver. 18. _Poverty and shame._] These two are fitly set together; for poverty is usually slighted, if not shamed. Jam 2:16 “ _Nil habet infelix paupertas durius in se_ Quam quod ridicule... [ Continue Reading ]
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but [it is] abomination to fools to depart from evil. Ver. 19. _The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul._] _Tota vita boni Christiani sanctum desiderium est,_ saith Augustine: The whole life of a good Christian is one holy desire; he even spends an... [ Continue Reading ]
He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Ver. 20. _He that walketh with wise men shall be wise._] He that comes where sweet spices and ointments are stirring, doth carry away some of the sweet savour, though he think not of it; so he that converset... [ Continue Reading ]
_Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed._ Ver. 21. _Evil pursueth sinners._] Hard at heels. _Flagitium et flagellum, ut acus et filum._ Sin and punishment are linked together with chains of adamant. Of sin we may say as Isidore doth of the serpent, _Tot dolores, quot colo... [ Continue Reading ]
_A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just._ Ver. 22. _A good man leaveth inheritance to his child._] Personal goodness is profitable to posterity. God gives not to his servants some small annuity for life only, as great m... [ Continue Reading ]
Much food [is in] the tillage of the poor: but there is [that is] destroyed for want of judgment. Ver. 23. _Much food is in the tillage of the poor._] of the poet is well known, _Laudato ingentia rura, exiguum colito._ _a_ It is best for a man to have no more than he can master and make his best of... [ Continue Reading ]
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Ver. 24. _He that spareth his rod hateth his son._] It is as if one should be so tender over a child as not to suffer the wind to blow upon it, and therefore hold the hand before the mouth of it, but so hard as h... [ Continue Reading ]
_The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want._ Ver. 25. _The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul._] Have he more or less, he hath that which satisfies him. Nature is content with a little, grace with less; _Cibus et potus sunt divitiae Chris... [ Continue Reading ]