_A.M. 3027. B.C. 977._ Observations on wisdom and folly, Ecclesiastes 10:1. On rulers, Ecclesiastes 10:4. Miscellaneous observations, Ecclesiastes 10:8. On governing the tongue, Ecclesiastes 10:12. More miscellaneous observations, Ecclesiastes 10:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dead flies_, &c. Solomon seems in these words to be prosecuting what he had said in the last clause of the preceding chapter; showing how much good one foolish action may destroy, what evil may result from it, and how a man, otherwise famed for wisdom, may thereby lose his reputation. So most inter... [ Continue Reading ]
_A wise man's heart is at his right hand_ His understanding or wisdom is always present with him, and ready to direct him in all his actions. He manages all his affairs prudently and piously. He mentions the right hand because that is the common instrument of action. _But a fool's heart is at his le... [ Continue Reading ]
_If the spirit of a ruler_ His passion or wrath; _rise up against thee_ Upon some misinformation given him, or mismanagement of thine; _leave not thy place_ In anger or discontent. Withdraw not thyself rashly and hastily from his presence and service: see on Ecclesiastes 8:3. Continue in a diligent... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is an evil_, &c. I have observed another great vanity and misdemeanour among men; _as an error which proceedeth_, &c. Or rather, as the Hebrew may be translated, _which is indeed an error proceeding from the ruler:_ for the following erroneous conduct must needs come from those who have power... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that diggeth a pit_, &c. The meaning of these verses, which may be considered as common proverbs, is, that those who are seeking and striving to injure others, often bring mischiefs thereby on their own heads; as he that digs a pit for another may, unawares, fall into it himself; and he who, in... [ Continue Reading ]
_If the iron be blunt_ The axe wherewith a man cuts wood; _he must put to more strength_ To make it cut: that is, if a man do not use fit and proper means to accomplish any work, it will cost him so much the more labour and pains; _but wisdom is profitable to direct_ Both in the choice and in the us... [ Continue Reading ]
_Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment_ Unless it be seasonably prevented by the art and care of the charmer. This is an allusion to the general opinion, then and still prevailing in the eastern countries, that serpents might be charmed so as to be prevented from biting by certain incanta... [ Continue Reading ]
_The words of a wise man are gracious_ Hebrew, חן, grace: as they are profitable, so they are acceptable to others, procuring him favour with those that hear him. _But the lips of a fool will swallow up himself_ His discourses are ungracious and offensive to others, and therefore pernicious to himse... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wo to thee, O land, when thy king is a child_ Either in age or childish qualities; _and thy princes eat in the morning_ Give themselves up to eating and drinking at that time of the day which is most fit for God's service, for the despatch of weighty affairs, and for sitting in judgment. _Blessed a... [ Continue Reading ]
_By much slothfulness, &c., the house droppeth through_ That house which is neglected by its owner, and not repaired, must needs come to ruin. Whereby he intimates that the sloth and carelessness of princes, in the management of public affairs, which is a usual attendant on that luxury of which he n... [ Continue Reading ]
_A feast is made for laughter_, &c. Not merely for caring, but chiefly for pleasant conversation, and the society of friends; not the laughter of fools, which is madness, but that of wise men, namely, that cheerfulness by which they fit themselves for business and severe studies: _and wine maketh me... [ Continue Reading ]
_Curse not the king_ Having spoken of the miscarriages of kings, he now gives a caution to their subjects, that they should not thence take occasion to speak irreverently or contemptuously of them, or wish or design any evil against their persons or government. For though vices may be condemned wher... [ Continue Reading ]