CHAPTER IV _The preceptor calls his pupils, and tells them how himself was_ _educated_, 1-4; _specifies the teachings he received_, 5-19; _and exhorts his pupil to persevere in well-doing, and to avoid_ _evil_, 20-27. NOTES ON CHAP. IV Verse Proverbs 4:1. _HEAR, YE CHILDREN_] Come, my pupils,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:4. _HE TAUGHT ME ALSO, AND SAID_] Open thy heart to receive my instructions-receive them with affection; when heard, retain and practise them; and thou shalt live-the great purpose of thy being brought into the world shall be accomplished in thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:5. _GET WISDOM_] True religion is essential to thy happiness; never _forget_ its teachings, nor go _aside_ from the path it prescribes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:6. _FORSAKE HER NOT_] Wisdom personified is here represented as a _guardian_ and _companion_, who, if not forsaken, will continue faithful; if loved, will continue a protector.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:7. _WISDOM_ IS _THE PRINCIPAL THING_] ראשית חכמה _reshith_ _chochmah_, "wisdom is the principle." It is the _punctum saliens_ in all religion to know the true God, and _what_ he requires of man, and _for what_ he has made man; and to this must be added, under the Christian dispensat... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:8. _SHE SHALL BRING THEE TO HONOUR_] There is nothing, a strict life of piety and benevolence excepted, that has such a direct tendency to _reflect honour_ upon a man, as the careful _cultivation of his mind_. One of _Bacon's_ aphorisms was, _Knowledge_ _is power_; and it is truly a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:9. _A CROWN OF GLORY_] A tiara, diadem, or crown, shall not be more honourable to the princely wearer, than sound wisdom-true religion-coupled with deep learning, shall be to the Christian and the scholar.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:10. _THE YEARS OF THY LIFE SHALL BE MANY._] Vice and intemperance impair the health and shorten the days of the wicked; while true religion, sobriety, and temperance, prolong them. The principal part of our diseases springs from "indolence, intemperance, and disorderly passions." Re... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:12. _THY STEPS SHALL NOT BE STRAITENED_] True wisdom will teach thee to keep out of embarrassments. A man under the influence of true religion _ponders_ his paths, and carefully _poises_ _occurring circumstances_; and as the fear of God will ever lead him to act an upright and hones... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:13. _TAKE FAST HOLD_] החזק _hachazek, seize it strongly_, and keep the hold; and do this as _for life_. Learn all thou canst, retain what thou hast learnt, and keep the reason continually in view - _it is for thy life_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:14. _ENTER NOT INTO THE PATH OF THE WICKED_] Never _associate_ with those whose life is irregular and sinful; never _accompany_ them in any of their acts of transgression.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:15. _AVOID IT_] Let it be the serious purpose of thy soul to shun every appearance of evil. _PASS NOT BY IT_] Never, for the sake of worldly gain, or through complaisance to others, _approach the way_ that thou wouldst not wish to be found in when God calls thee into the eternal wo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:16. _EXCEPT THEY HAVE DONE MISCHIEF_] The _night_ is their time for spoil and depredation. And they must gain some _booty_, before they _go to rest_. This I believe to be the meaning of the passage. I grant, also, that there may be some of so malevolent a disposition that they canno... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:17. _FOR THEY EAT THE BREAD OF WICKEDNESS_] By _privately_ stealing. _AND DRINK THE WINE OF VIOLENCE._] By _highway robbery_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:18. _BUT THE PATH OF THE JUST_] The path of the wicked is gloomy, dark, and dangerous; that of the righteous is open, luminous, and instructive. This verse contains a fine metaphor; it refers to the _sun_ rising above the horizon, and the increasing twilight, till his beams shine f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:21. _KEEP THEM IN THE MIDST OF THINE HEART._] Let them be wrapped up in the very _centre of thy affections_; that they may give spring and energy to every desire, word, and wish.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:23. _KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE_] "Above all keeping," guard thy heart. He who knows any thing of himself, knows how apt his affections are to go astray. _FOR OUT OF IT_ ARE _THE ISSUES OF LIFE._] תוצאות חיים _totseoth_ _chaiyim_, "the goings out of lives." Is not this a pl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:24. _A FROWARD MOUTH_] Beware of hastiness, anger, and rash speeches. _AND PERVERSE LIPS_] Do not delight in nor acquire the _habit of_ _contradicting_ and _gainsaying_; and beware of _calumniating_ and _backbiting_ your neighbour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:26. _PONDER THE PATH OF THY FEET_] _Weigh_ well the part thou shouldst act in life. See that thou contract no bad _habits_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 4:27. _TURN NOT TO THE RIGHT HAND NOR TO THE LEFT_] Avoid all crooked ways. Be an upright, downright, and straight-forward man. Avoid _tricks, wiles_, and _deceptions_ of this kind. To this the _Septuagint_ and _Vulgate_ add the following verse: Αυτος δε ορθας ποιησει τας τροχιας σο... [ Continue Reading ]