V. 24. By 'the crown of the wise' is meant their wisdom, or V. 30. Nothing is more necessary, even to the health of the the honor in which they are held on account of it; and this is body, than a heart at peace with itself and with all others. their wealth. As to the folly of fools' (of which they them- Many a man becomes the victim of physical disease, and of premaselves make so much account, compare ch. 13:16) it ‘is folly,'-ture decay in body and mind, through jealousy, envy, and other neither more nor less, and nothing else need be said of it. malignant passions, that gnaw at the heart and poison the springs of life. V. 25. Compare the remarks on ch. 12:17. Life itself is often staked on the veracity of witnesses; and he who habitually disregards truth will only deceive and mislead. V. 27. Compare the remark on ch. 13: 14. V. 28. The strength of a nation and of its government (other things being equal) is in the number of its effective population. The security, which good government affords to the welfare of a people, promotes its increase in numbers, and thus adds to the national strength. In this consists the king's honor;' the want of this is the prince's ruin.' V. 32. When evil overtakes the wicked, he is abandoned a helpless victim to its power, having no deliverer. But the righteous has a trust, that does not fail him, even in death. V. 33. The heart of the discerning' is the home of wisdom; there is its proper dwelling-place, and there it constantly abides. Even fools are sometimes taught a lesson in wisdom; but it is much after the manner described in Judges 8:16 (where the same Hebrew word is used): "he took thorns of the wilderness, and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth." All the days of the poor are evil; Ch. XV.-V. 4. Is a tree of life: compare the remark on ch. 11:30. Second member. Whilst the discreet use of the tongue is a healthful influence, a perverse use of it is a wound in the spirit, often the most deadly and incurable. 15 16 17 18 19 But the meaning may be merely, that they delight in folly, and that it is as savory food to them. V. 15. In the humblest condition, and under all privations, a cheerful heart provides an unfailing feast. What a lesson to those, all whose abundance, in comforts and luxuries, can not stop V. 6. The prosperity of the righteous is a blessing to them; their murmurs! but even the gain of the wicked is increase of trouble. V. 16. The fear of Jehovah shuts out all causes of disquietude, dread, anger, jealousy, hate, repining; but all these are the natural attendants of great treasure,' when unsanctified by V. 11. The underworld: see the writer's note on Matt. 11:23, last paragraph.-Destruction: compare the note on Job 26 : 6. V. 14, second member. The sentiment is perhaps similar (ex-acknowledgment of the Giver. pressed in another form) to that of v. 33 in the preceding chapter. Fools are in love with folly; and with that they are fed! V. 19. The sluggard's way is beset with hindrances, which become more and more formidable by his indolence and neglect, till at length they are as impassable as a thorn-hedge. (Compare V. 27. Against greediness of gain, and its temptations to the ch. 24:30, 31.) But to the upright man, one who conscientious- use of unlawful means of indulgence (see second member), which ly and resolutely does each appointed duty in its season, his often leads to the ruin of a household. path is as a highway, cast up and leveled, and cleared of all obstructions. V. 20, second member. Despises his mother: inasmuch as he shows no regard for the relation, and for its obligations; thus practically despising it. V. 21. A comparison with the remarks made on vv. 10 and 11 of the second chapter, will make the relation of the two members clear. V. 23. A fitting answer, seasonably given, is just ground of joy and gratulation to him who makes it. V. 24. Is upward for the wise: that is, it directs his steps upward, so that he shall not take the downward way to final ruin. V. 25, second member. He will establish the widow's bound: he asserts, and will vindicate, her rights; for he is the "widow's judge" (Ps. 68: 5). V. 26, second member. Pure: the Levitical sense, figuratively applied here, in distinction from an abomination,' or what is unclean and offensive in his sight. a But even short of this, the devotee of gain is in many ways troubler of his own house;' sacrificing to this sordid passion every domestic and social interest. V. 28. The conscientious man is careful in forming the opinions he is to utter, knowing that what has once passed his lips is beyond his control; but the wicked cares not for consequences, and pours out his evil thoughts without reflection or restraint. V. 30. Cheerfulness is one of the most contagious of social influences; nor can we estimate the social value of a uniformly happy temperament, that sees the bright side of every thing, and always puts the best construction on it, and turns it to the best account. It is like good news, making the bones fat;' while its opposite dries them away to a shriveled and marrowless skeleton. V. 31. Life-giving reproof: compare ch. 6:23, instructive reproofs are the way of life. V. 32. Despises his own soul: treats with contempt all that makes him a man, and raises him above the brute; to the level of which he thus tries to sink himself, and too often successfully. V. 33. The fear of Jehovah. Compare the remarks on ch. | one; but this is not the natural construction and meaning. 1:7–9, second paragraph, and the introductory remarks on ch. 8, V. 2. Compare the remark on ch. 21 : 2. third paragraph. V. 4. For its purpose: what it is fitted for, and what is suited This is true humility, and this spirit is before honor and leads to its nature and character. to it; compare the remark on ch. 18:12. Ch. XVI.—V. 1. The answer of the tongue may mean, either the answer it makes, or the answer made to it. If it means the former, then the sense of the verse is: whatever man may devise in his heart, on any matter proposed for his consideration, the appropriate answer of the tongue comes only from Jehovah; just as (according to v. 9) 'man's heart devises his way,' but Jehovah alone can 'direct his step.' According to this view, we are taught in these two verses, that man is unable by his own counsels and plans, to give a right decision on any matter, or to direct his way, without Jehovah's aid. This is probably the correct view. Second member. For the day of evil: inasmuch as that is the destiny appointed for the wicked, and is suited to his deserts. V. 5. Every one: that is, all such; nor shall any be acquitted, however linked together in interest, and for mutual support. Though joined hand to hand, namely, with others of like spirit, he shall not go free. Compare the remark on 11 :21. V. 6. Is covered: namely, from the sight of God; it is not remembered and visited with punishment, when temporal judgments overtake the hard-hearted and perfidious. Second member. The fear of Jehovah is the root of the whole matter; for it is by this one is enabled to turn from evil, and escape the calamities that overtake others. V. 9. See the remarks on v. 1, second paragraph. Many take this expression in the second sense, the answer made to the tongue; viz., to its utterance of the counsels of the heart. By this is meant, that the answer to the tongue's expres- V. 10. An oracle is on the lips of the king;, because “he is the sion of the counsels or purposes of the heart is from Jehovah, minister of God" (Rom. 13:4) and speaks with authority from that the final decision rests with him; in other words, "man pro- God; and hence it is here enjoined on him, that he 'shall not poses, God disposes." The sentiment is a just and important deal treacherously in judgment.' A just scale and balances are of Jehovah; It is the abomination of kings to do wickedness; Righteous lips are the delight of kings; In the light of the king's countenance is life; To get wisdom-how much better than gold! V. 18. Before destruction: that is, just before it, and ready to plunge into it. V. 11. Are of Jehovah: that is, are appointed by him. They are his requirement; see Lev. 19:36, just balances, just weightsshall ye have. In the same sense it is said (second member) that V. 19. Better off, is the meaning; he fares better in his hum• the weights of the bag are his work' (Deut. 25:13, 15); and ble lot with the lowly, than if he shared in the spoils of the hence, he who falsifies them falsifies God's own work, and perverts proud. By 'spoils' is meant their wicked gains, however obhis ordinance to fraud and robbery. Of the bag in which the weights are kept for use. See Deut. 25:13, thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small; Micah 6 : 11, with the bag of deceitful weights. V. 12. Nothing is more to be abhorred by kings than wrongdoing; for it undermines the throne itself, which is established only by righteousness." V. 14. Compare ch. 17:11. The king's wrath is as messengers of death,' for his commands are such; but the wise man, by his prudent management, will appease it. V. 15. The latter rain: see the note on Job 29: 23. V. 17. The highway of the upright: compare ch. 15 : 19, and the remark on it. This highway of the upright, the leveled, unobstructed path which they tread, consists in 'turning from evil.' tained. V. 20. Compare ch. 13 : 13. V. 21. He is the man of real discernment, who possesses the true wisdom; and learning (in this sense) 'adds sweetness to the lips,' gives a charm to discourse. V. 22. A well of life: compare ch. 10: 11.-The second member, taken by itself, might mean, that it is folly to correct a focl, since it answers no good purpose. But a comparison with the first member shows, that the other sense of the words is the true one; namely, that folly is the correction of fools; their own folly is their chastisement, just as understanding is a well of life to its possessor. V. 23. Compare Matt. 12 : 34, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. |