CHAPTER XXIX _We must not despise correction. The prudent king. The_ _flatterer. The just judge. Contend not with a fool. The prince_ _who opens his ears to reports. The poor and the deceitful. The_ _pious king. The insolent servant. The humiliation of the proud._ _Of the partner of a thief. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:3. _BUT HE THAT KEEPETH COMPANY_] רעה _roeh_, he that _feedeth harlots_, יאבד yeabed, shall utterly destroy his substance. Has there ever been a single case to the _contrary_?... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:4. _HE THAT RECEIVETH GIFTS_] This was notoriously the case in this kingdom, before the passing of the _Magna Charta_, or _great_ _charter of liberties_. Hence that article in it, Nulli vendemus justitiam; "We will not sell justice to any." I have met with cases in our ancient reco... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:5. _SPREADETH A NET FOR HIS FEET._] Beware of a flatterer; he does not flatter merely to please you, but to _deceive you_ and _profit himself_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:9. _WHETHER HE RAGE OR LAUGH_] _Coverdale_ translates, "Yf a wyse man go to lawe with a foole, whether he deale with him frendly or roughly he geteth no rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:11. _A FOOL UTTERETH ALL HIS MIND_] A man should be careful to keep his _own secret_, and never tell his whole mind upon any subject, while there are other opinions yet to be delivered; else, if he speak _again_, he must go over his old ground; and as he brings out nothing _new_, h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:12. _IF A RULER HEARKEN TO LIES_] Wherever the system of _espionage_ is permitted to prevail, there the system of _falsity_ is established; for he who is capable of being a _spy_ and informer, is not only capable of telling and swearing lies, but also of cutting his king's or even... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:13. _THE POOR AND THE DECEITFUL MAN_] It is difficult to fix the meaning of תככים _techachim_, which we here render the _deceitful_ _man_. The TARGUM has, "The _poor_ and the _man_ of LITTLE WEALTH." The SEPTUAGINT, "The _usurer_ and the DEBTOR." The VULGATE, "The _poor_ and CREDIT... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:16. _WHEN THE WICKED ARE MULTIPLIED_] That, in the _multiplication of the wicked transgression is increased_, requires no proof; but an important doctrine attaches to this. On this account wicked nations and wicked families are cut off and rooted out. Were it not so righteousness w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:18. _WHERE_ THERE IS _NO VISION_] My old MS. Bible, following the _Vulgate_, translates: _Whan prophecye schal failen, the peple_ _schal ben to scatered_. Where Divine revelation, and the faithful preaching of the sacred testimonies, are neither reverenced nor attended, the ruin of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:21. _HE THAT DELICATELY BRINGETH UP HIS SERVANT_] Such persons are generally forgetful of their obligations, assume the rights and privileges of children, and are seldom good for any thing.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:22. _AN ANGRY MAN STIRRETH UP STRIFE_] His spirit begets its _like_ wherever he goes. _AND A FURIOUS MAN ABOUNDETH IN TRANSGRESSION._] His furious spirit is always carrying him into _extremes_, and each of these is a _transgression_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:23. _A MAN'S PRIDE SHALL BRING HIM LOW_] A proud man is universally despised, and such are often exposed to great mortifications.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:24. _HATETH HIS OWN SOUL_] נפשו _naphsho_, his _life_, as the outraged law may at any time seize on and put him to _death_. _HE HEARETH CURSING_] אלה _alah_, the _execration_ or _adjuration_, (for all culprits were _charged, as before God_, to _tell the truth_,) ולא יגד velo yaggi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:25. _THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE_] How often has this led weak men, though _sincere_ in their general character, to deny their God, and abjure his people! See the case of _Peter_; and learn from this, O reader, that where the mighty have been slain, _thou_ wilt fall, unless th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:26. _MANY SEEK THE RULER'S FAVOUR_] To be screened from the punishment determined by the law; but should _he_ grant the favour sought, and pardon the criminal, this takes not away his guilt in the sight of God, from whom all just judgment proceeds.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 29:27. _AND_ HE THAT IS _UPRIGHT IN THE WAY_] "But as for those that be in the right waye, the wicked hate them."-COVERDALE. To this verse the VULGATE adds the following: _Verbum custodiens_ _filius extra perditionem erit_; "The son that keeps the word shall not fall into perdition.... [ Continue Reading ]