A DRY MORSEL— _Bread with pulse,_ or _husks._ Bochart and Houbigant. This was the food of meaner persons; whence Horace says, Epist. 1: lib. 2: line 123. _Vivit siliquis et pane secundo:_ Lives on coarse bread and vegetable fare. DUNCOMBE. This verse is plainly similar to the 16th and 17th of ch... [ Continue Reading ]
A WISE SERVANT— In all troubled and disagreeing families, there is commonly some servant, or gentle friend, who, being powerful with both sides, may moderate and compose the differences which are among them; to whom, in that respect, the whole house, and the master himself, are much engaged and beho... [ Continue Reading ]
AND A LIAR GIVETH EAR TO A NAUGHTY TONGUE— _And a hearkener after lies to,_ &c. Houbigant renders the verse, _A wicked man will give ear to false lips, a just man will not hearken to an evil tongue._... [ Continue Reading ]
A GIFT IS AS A PRECIOUS STONE, &C.— A gift is so tempting, that it can be no more refused than a precious jewel by him to whom it is presented, if he be not under the influences of Divine grace, and the bribe come up to his price. Such is its power in those cases, that it too often prevails, dispatc... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EVIL MAN, &C.— Houbigant renders it, _A cruel man will seek only for evil; and therefore a most cruel messenger shall be sent to him._... [ Continue Reading ]
LET A BEAR ROBBED, &C.— Bochart observes four things concerning the bear: the first every one knows, that the bear is an exceedingly fierce creature; the second, that the female is more fierce than the male; the third, that she is more fierce than ordinary when she has whelps; and lastly, when she i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEGINNING OF STRIFE, &C.— Those who begin a quarrel are like those who make a breach in a bank, and give an opening to the waters of a rapid river; which they can never be sure to stop before it produces the most fatal and calamitous events. This painting admirably represents the effects of lyin... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE IS THERE A PRICE, &C.— _What would it profit a fool to have that wherewith he might purchase wisdom, whilst he hath no heart?_ Houbigant. No discretion to discern the worth of wisdom, no desire to gain it, no understanding to use it properly?... [ Continue Reading ]
A FRIEND LOVETH AT ALL TIMES, &C.— This may be rendered; _A friend loveth at all times; but he is a brother in the day of adversity._ A good friend on certain occasions is better, and will do more, than a brother or a parent. See chap. Proverbs 18:24. We may read, _And becomes a brother in adversity... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT EXALTETH HIS GATE— Among other violences of the Arabs, that of riding into the houses of those whom they mean to harass, is not one of the least observable; the rather, as it seems to be referred to in the Scriptures. To prevent this insult, and the mischief which these Arabs might do them,... [ Continue Reading ]
A MERRY HEART DOETH GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE— Dr. Grey renders this verse thus, _A merry heart doeth good to the body,_ or _flesh; but a broken spirit drieth the bones._ We often meet with this opposition, and the sense perhaps is more complete, especially if we leave out the word _like,_ which is not i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EYES OF A FOOL ARE IN THE ENDS OF THE EARTH— As a wise man's understanding appears in his very countenance, and a fool is known by his garish and wandering eyes; so the one has his wisdom always present, and ready at hand to guide and govern him, when the other knows not what to follow; but his... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO TO PUNISH THE JUST, &C.— _It is not right to oppress the just; not even when the prince hath declined from equity:_ Houbigant; who observes, that Solomon means to say, "It is dangerous to oppress the just, even when unjust princes favour oppressors." See Chap. Proverbs 18:5. Schultens renders i... [ Continue Reading ]
IS OF AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT— Or, _will be cool in his temper. He who hath prudence moderates his spirit._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]