Proverbs 27 - Introduction
_OBSERVATIONS ON SELF-LOVE, ON TRUE LOVE, ON CARE TO AVOID OFFENCES, AND ON THE HOUSEHOLD CARE._... [ Continue Reading ]
_OBSERVATIONS ON SELF-LOVE, ON TRUE LOVE, ON CARE TO AVOID OFFENCES, AND ON THE HOUSEHOLD CARE._... [ Continue Reading ]
OPEN REBUKE IS BETTER THAN SECRET LOVE— He who takes an ingenuous liberty to tell others of their faults, and rebuke them freely when need requires to their face, is a more valuable friend, though perhaps he may please less, than he who has more of the passion of love in his heart, but makes it not... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FULL SOUL LOATHETH AN HONEY-COMB— As hunger makes men relish the most distasteful food, when full stomachs loath the most delightful; so poverty has this advantage of plenty, that it disposes men to be thankful for the smallest blessings, though mixed with care and trouble; when the richer sort,... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A BIRD THAT WANDERETH— He who quits his country, his dwelling, his house, is as a bird which quits its nest. He is exposed to a thousand dangers and difficulties. The Jews were very much attached to their country, and had no fondness for travelling. They were detained within their own country, fi... [ Continue Reading ]
OINTMENT AND PERFUME— At the close of a visit in the eastern countries, it is common to sprinkle rose-water, or some other sweet-scented water, on the guests, and to perfume them with aloes wood; which is brought last, and serves as a sign that it is time for a stranger to take his leave. Great numb... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT BLESSETH HIS FRIEND WITH A LOUD VOICE— "He who spends all his time in nothing else but in extravagant praises of his benefactor, rather disparages than commends him." Or, it may be, "He that is hasty to commend his friend, does him rather a disservice than a kindness." Moderate and seasonabl... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER HIDETH HER, &C.— _Whoso locks her up, locks up the winds, and he will take hold of oil with his hand._ Wat. See Hiller Hierophut. p. 210. Houbigant renders it, _He who will confine her at home may confine the wind; for whatsoever he shall seal with his hand_ [i.e. whatsoever her husband wo... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IN WATER, &C.— Dr. Grey says, this should be rendered, _As the water showeth the face to the face, so doth the heart the man to the man._ The meaning is, that a man may know what character he deserves, as well by looking into his own heart, as he can tell what sort of a face he has by looking upo... [ Continue Reading ]
SO IS A MAN TO HIS PRAISE— The LXX read, _And a man is tried by the mouth of those who praise him;_ and so Houbigant renders it. The meaning is, "That the mind of man is as easily discovered and tried by praises and encomiums, as gold or silver is by fire." The poet says well, Cum quis te laudat, j... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR RICHES ARE NOT FOR EVER, &C.— See Hiller. pars 2: p. 9. The author of the Observations remarks, that _milk_ is a great part of the diet of the eastern people. Their _goats_ furnish them with some of it, and, as Dr. Russell informs us, are chiefly kept for that purpose; that they yield it in inco... [ Continue Reading ]