THROUGH DESIRE, &C.— The opinions of commentators on these two verses are much divided. Houbigant renders them as follows: _He who prepares dissention seizes all occasions: he leaves nothing untried:_ Proverbs 18:2. _A fool loveth not to be ruled by counsel, but to be carried on rashly and turbulent... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE WICKED COMETH, &C.— _When the wicked entereth, contempt entereth with him; and with a reproachful man, reproach._ See Schultens. Instead of _ignominy,_ we may read, _turpitude, scandalous behaviour._... [ Continue Reading ]
TO ACCEPT THE PERSON, &C.— This phrase has principally, if not always, a judicial meaning. See Leviticus 19:15.Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 16:19. The propriety of the expression will appear, when we find that it is applied to such qualifications as have no relation to the cause; namely, riches, fr... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS, &C.— _The words of a rancorous person are like morsels greedily swallowed; they sink into the lower parts of the belly._ Schultens, see his note. Houbigant renders it, _The words of a talebearer are indeed smooth and soft; but they afterwards go down,_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE DESTRUCTION, &C.— _Before destruction a man is haughty, as before honour he is modest,_ or _humble._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO CAN BEAR?— Or, _Who can raise it up?_... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS FIRST IN HIS OWN CAUSE— "He that speaks first in any cause will undoubtedly set his side in the most favourable and most plausible light; but when the defendant replies, all his arguments will be brought to the test, and all his sophisms laid open and confuted." This and the following pro... [ Continue Reading ]
A BROTHER OFFENDED— _As a fortified city is a brother assisted by a brother; and they who mutually love one another, are like the bars of a castle._ Houb. following the Vulgate. The author of the _Observations,_ remarking that these _bars_ were frequently of brass or iron, says, "According to this,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSO FINDETH A WIFE FINDETH A GOOD THING— _He who findeth a good wife, findeth a good thing._ Houbigant, after many of the versions. See chap. Proverbs 19:14. The LXX and Vulgate read at the end of this verse, _He that putteth away a good wife putteth away a good thing, but he who retains an adulte... [ Continue Reading ]