Proverbs 10 - Introduction
_FROM THIS CHAPTER TO THE FIVE-AND-TWENTIETH, ARE SUNDRY OBSERVATIONS UPON MORAL VIRTUES, AND THEIR CONTRARY VICES._... [ Continue Reading ]
_FROM THIS CHAPTER TO THE FIVE-AND-TWENTIETH, ARE SUNDRY OBSERVATIONS UPON MORAL VIRTUES, AND THEIR CONTRARY VICES._... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON— Here properly the book of Proverbs begins: What has gone before is a kind of preface or introduction to the work. Solomon has exhorted his disciple to the study of wisdom, by the most interesting motives; the beauty, the utility, the necessity of wisdom. He has shewn him the... [ Continue Reading ]
RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVERETH FROM DEATH— The meaning seems to be, that justice, holiness, and virtue, constitute the true riches of a man; which, whosoever is wise enough to lay up, procures to himself an impregnable asylum. See chap. Proverbs 11:4 and Schultens. Le Clerc thinks that _righteousness_ mea... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT VIOLENCE COVERETH THE MOUTH OF THE WICKED— _But his own cruel violence shall cover the mouth of the wicked._ That is, "The curses, imprecations, and other violence which the wicked vomit forth, shall redound upon their own mouth, and shall overwhelm them with all confusion." See Proverbs 10:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED— Eusebius observes, that Plato has transferred this observation into his seventh book of laws; concerning which Lord Bacon makes the following remarks in the place quoted; "That the name of good men, after envy is extinguished, which cropped the blossom of their fam... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WISE IN HEART WILL RECEIVE COMMANDMENTS— _He who is wise in heart, will receive the commandment; he who has foolish lips, will stubbornly refuse it._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT A PRATING FOOL SHALL FALL— We have remarked in a former note, that these proverbs consist of hemistichs, the second of which, an ingenious writer observes, farther strengthens and illustrates the first, either by its contrariety or connexion: but what contrariety or connexion is there between th... [ Continue Reading ]
LOVE COVERETH ALL SINS— St. Peter appears to have had this passage in view, Ephesians 1 chap. Proverbs 4:8. See the note on that place, and Bishop Sherlock's Discourses, vol. 3: disc. 6.... [ Continue Reading ]
WISE MEN LAY UP KNOWLEDGE— That is, says Schultens, wise men keep secretly reposed within them the knowledge of any business or affairs wherewith they are entrusted: but the mouth of the foolish, incapable of retaining any secret, occasions ruin to himself and to those who have any concerns with him... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS IN THE WAY OF LIFE, &C.— _He is in the way of life who observeth discipline._ Houbigant and Schultens. The LXX read, _Instruction_ or _discipline keepeth the way of life._... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HIDETH HATRED, &C.— The LXX read, _Honest lips hide hatred; but they who utter reproaches, are the greatest fools;_ and the Syriac, _The lips of the wicked hide hatred; and he that uttereth a curse is a fool._ Nothing more easy than to conceal malice. Dissembling, which is lying, does it ver... [ Continue Reading ]
IS LITTLE WORTH— The LXX read, _shall fail;_ the Syriac, _is gall;_ and the Chaldee, _is contrition:_ but Schultens seems to have hit upon the right interpretation. He renders it, _is like dross._ As the tongue of the just is compared to choice silver, so the heart of the wicked is compared to dross... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIPS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FEED MANY— i.e. _Instruct many:_ and so it is rendered in several of the versions.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BLESSING OF THE LORD, &C.— _The blessing of the Lord procureth riches, and giveth not sorrow as a companion with them._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING HATH WISDOM— _But a prudent man restrains himself: Frenatio adest viro prudenti._ Schultens.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FEAR OF THE WICKED, &C.— Wicked men frequently draw upon themselves what they feared, by the very means whereby they studied to avoid it; a remarkable example whereof, Bochart observes, we have in the builders of the tower of Babel; the very remedy of the evil that they wished to avoid, leading... [ Continue Reading ]
AS VINEGAR TO THE TEETH— "A negligent dilatory servant vexes and rives, as it were, with trouble those who send him; just as keen vinegar gives pain to the teeth, and bitter smoke vexes and torments the eyes." See Schultens.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIPS OF THE RIGHTEOUS KNOW WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE— The LXX read, _The lips of the righteous distil graces;_ and the Syriac, _The lips of the righteous acknowledge a kindness or benefit._ The righteous make it their study to hurt nobody by their words; but, on the contrary, to speak always according... [ Continue Reading ]