Proverbs 17:8

him that hath it Lit. its lord or possessor. This may mean either the giver, or the receiver of it. The former sense seems preferable. He who has a gift to bestow counts himself the possessor of that with which he can secure success in any direction he pleases, as though he turned in this direction or in that a precious gem or talisman to attract and conciliate the beholder. Maurer quotes the familiar lines of Ovid (de art. am. 3. 653),

"Munera, crede mihi, capiunt hominesque deosque;

Placatur donis Jupiter ipse datis."

Comp. Proverbs 18:16.