Un buon nome _è_ meglio di un unguento prezioso; e il giorno della morte che il giorno della nascita. Un buon nome - Insoddisfacente come tutte le cose sublunari, tuttavia ce ne sono alcune di grande importanza, e tra queste un buon nome. Il luogo è ben parafrasato nei seguenti versi: "Un nome imma... [ Continua a leggere ]
_È_ meglio andare alla casa del lutto, che andare alla casa del banchetto: perché questa _è_ la fine di tutti gli uomini; e il vivente _gliela_ porrà nel cuore. È meglio recarsi nella casa del lutto - I compleanni erano generalmente celebrati con grande festa, ea questi molto probabilmente si riferi... [ Continua a leggere ]
Sorrow _is_ better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Sorrow is better than laughter - The reason is immediately given; for by the sorrow of the countenance - the grief of heart that shows itself in the countenance: - The heart is made better - In such ca... [ Continua a leggere ]
The heart of the wise _is_ in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools _is_ in the house of mirth. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning - A wise man loves those occasions from which he can derive spiritual advantage; and therefore prefers visiting the sick, and sympathizing with th... [ Continua a leggere ]
_It is_ better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.... [ Continua a leggere ]
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so _is_ the laughter of the fool: this also _is_ vanity. For as the crackling of thorns - They make a great noise, a great blaze; and are extinguished in a few moments. Such indeed, comparatively, are the joys of life; they are noisy, flashy, and transitor... [ Continua a leggere ]
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. Oppression maketh a wise man mad - This has been translated with good show of reason, "Surely oppression shall give lustre to a wise man: but a gift corrupteth the heart." The chief difference here is in the word יהולל yehole... [ Continua a leggere ]
Better _is_ the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: _and_ the patient in spirit _is_ better than the proud in spirit. Better is the end - We can then judge of the whole, and especially if the matter relate to the conduct of Divine Providence. At the beginning we are often apt to make very ras... [ Continua a leggere ]
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Anger resteth in the bosom of fools - A wise man, off his guard, may feel it for a moment: but in him it cannot rest: it is a fire which he immediately casts out of his breast. But the fool - the man who is under the do... [ Continua a leggere ]
Say not thou, What is _the cause_ that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. The former days were better than these? - This is a common saying; and it is as foolish as it is common. There is no weight nor truth in it; but men use it to excuse their... [ Continua a leggere ]
Wisdom _is_ good with an inheritance: and _by it there is_ profit to them that see the sun. Wisdom is good with an inheritance - In this chapter Solomon introduces many observations which appear to be made by objectors against his doctrine; and as he was satisfied of their futility, he proposes them... [ Continua a leggere ]
For wisdom _is_ a defence, _and_ money _is_ a defence: but the excellency of knowledge _is, that_ wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Wisdom is a defense - To whom Solomon answers: All true wisdom is most undoubtedly a great advantage to men in all circumstances; and money is also of great use:... [ Continua a leggere ]
Consider the work of God: for who can make _that_ straight, which he hath made crooked? Consider the work of God - Such is the nature of his providence, that it puts money into the hands of few: but wisdom is within the reach of all. The first is not necessary to happiness; therefore, it is not offe... [ Continua a leggere ]
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. In the day of prosperity be joyful - When ye receive these temporal gifts from God, enjoy them, and be thankful to the Giver:... [ Continua a leggere ]
Tutte le _cose_ ho visto nei giorni della mia vanità: c'è un _uomo_ giusto che perisce nella sua giustizia, e c'è un _uomo_ malvagio che prolunga la _sua vita_ nella sua malvagità. C'è un uomo giusto che perisce - Questa è un'altra obiezione come se avesse detto: "Anch'io ho avuto una notevole esper... [ Continua a leggere ]
Non essere giusto per molto; non farti più saggio: perché dovresti distruggerti? Perché dovresti distruggere te stesso? - tishshomem, renditi desolato, così che sarai obbligato a stare da solo; né farti troppo saggio, תתחכם tithchaccam, non pretendere di abbondanza di saggezza. Perché dovresti esser... [ Continua a leggere ]
Non essere troppo malvagio, né essere stolto: perché dovresti morire prima del tuo tempo? Non essere troppo malvagio, né essere stolto: perché dovresti morire prima del tuo tempo? - אל תרשע הרבה al tirsha harbeh. Non moltiplicare la malvagità, non aggiungere opposizione diretta alla pietà al resto d... [ Continua a leggere ]
_È_ bene che tu afferri questo; sì, anche da questo non ritirare la mano: poiché colui che teme Dio uscirà da tutti loro. È bene che tu afferri o questo - Non lasciarti sfuggire una tale osservazione: prendi questo; non dimenticare quello. Ottieni ciò che puoi in modo onesto; ma non dimenticare di o... [ Continua a leggere ]
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty _men_ which are in the city. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise - One wise, thoroughly learned, and scientific man, may be of more use in fortifying and defending a city, than ten princes. Witness the case of Syracuse, when attacked by the Romans both by... [ Continua a leggere ]
For _there is_ not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not - לא יחטא lo yechta, that may not sin. There is not a man upon earth, however just he may be, and habituated to do good, but is peccable - liable to commit... [ Continua a leggere ]
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken - This is good advice, and much for every man's peace through life. Thy servant curse thee - מקללך mekallelecha, make light of thee, speak evil of thee.... [ Continua a leggere ]
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. Thou thyself - hast cursed others - קללת kalalta, thou hast spoken evil; hast vilified others. O, who is free from evil speaking, from uncharitable speaking; from detailing their neighbor's faults, from whispe... [ Continua a leggere ]
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it _was_ far from me. All this have I proved by wisdom - These rules I have laid down for my own conduct, and sought after more wisdom; but have fallen far short of what I wished to be.... [ Continua a leggere ]
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? That which is far off - Though the wisdom that is essential to our salvation may be soon learned, through the teaching of the Spirit of wisdom, yet in wisdom itself there are extents and depths which none can reach or fathom.... [ Continua a leggere ]
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason _of things_, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness _and_ madness: I applied mine heart - I cast about, סבותי sabbothi, I made a circuit; I circumscribed the ground I was to traverse; and all within... [ Continua a leggere ]
And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart _is_ snares and nets, _and_ her hands _as_ bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. And I find more bitter than death the woman - After all his investigation of the wickedness of folly, and the foo... [ Continua a leggere ]
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, _counting_ one by one, to find out the account: Counting one by one - I have gone over every particular. I have compared one thing with another; man with woman, his wisdom with her wiles; his strength with her blandishments; his influence with her ascen... [ Continua a leggere ]
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.... [ Continua a leggere ]
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright - Whatever evil may be now found among men and women, it is not of God; for God made them all upright. This is a singular verse, and has be... [ Continua a leggere ]