Provérbios

Provérbios 12:1

Ver. 1. Knowledge. It is a great kindness to shew us our faults. But God's grace is necessary to make us reap benefit from correction, (C.) as self-love recoils at it.

Provérbios 12:2

Ver. 2. But. Heb. "and he will condemn the man of devices," (Mont. H.) or, "the man of thoughts doth wickedly," (C.) as he trusts in them, rather than in God.

M.

Provérbios 12:4

Ver. 4. Diligent. Heb. "strong or virtuous," (H.) including all the perfections of the sex, and in particular those of economy and chastity. C. xiv. 1. and xxxi. 10.

Provérbios 12:7

Ver. 7. Turn. In a moment the wicked is not to be found. C. x. 25. and Ps. xxxvi.

35.

Provérbios 12:8

Ver. 8. Learning. We apply to those things which we love, and those who study sacred (C.) or useful sciences, shall receive praise.

Provérbios 12:9

Ver. 9. Glorious. Or a boaster, (H.) as many noblemen are, who are involved in debt. Eccli. x.

30. M. --- It is better to have a sufficiency, than to be of noble parentage; and starving through a stupid idea, that work would be disgraceful.

Provérbios 12:10

Ver. 10. Beasts. Those who treat them with cruelty, would do the like with men.

God gives regulations to let brute beasts have rest. Lev. xxii. 28. C. S. Chrys. in Rom. xxix.

Provérbios 12:11

Ver. 11. Idleness. Heb. "the idle." Their company is seducing. --- He that, &c.

This occurs in the Sept. but not in the Heb. or the new edit. of S. Jerom. C. ---

Wine. Or "in taverns." --- Holds.

Soldiers have thus been often surprised. M. --- "Drunkenness is an incitement to lust and madness, the poison of wisdom." S. Amb.

Provérbios 12:12

Ver. 12. Men. They wish to supplant one another.

Provérbios 12:13

Ver. 13. Lips. Liars often become the victims of their own deceit.

Provérbios 12:16

Ver. 16. Wise. It is more difficult to repress, than to avoid anger. S. Amb. --- To dissemble, so as to seek an opportunity of revenge, is not commended.

Provérbios 12:17

Ver. 17. That. Heb. "the truth announceth justice." We easily give credit to an honest man. C.

Provérbios 12:18

Ver. 18. Promiseth. Sept. "there are, who speaking, wound with the sword; but," &c. Heb. bote (H.) means also, making a foolish promise, which causes remorse. M. --- This was the case with Herod, when he was pleased with Herodias. Matt. xiv. 8. C. --- Heb. "speaketh like the piercings of the sword,"

(Prot. H.) as detractors, and those who disseminate impious and scandalous maxims do.

Provérbios 12:19

Ver. 19. Frameth. He studies how to escape detection. Heb. "a lying tongue is but for a moment;" it is presently discovered.

Provérbios 12:20

Ver. 20. Deceit. Or uneasiness. C. --- Honi soit qui mal y pense: "let him be covered with shame who thinks evil in it," seems nearly the same import. H.

Provérbios 12:21

Ver. 21. Sad. Even if he fall into sin, he will not lose all hope. C. --- The accidents accompanying this life will not overwhelm him. S. Chrys. --- Heb. "no evil shall befall the just."

If he be afflicted here, he will be amply rewarded hereafter. Sept. "the just will not be pleased with any injustice."

Provérbios 12:23

Ver. 23. Cautious. Versutus is taken in a good, as well as in a bad sense. The wise are reserved in speaking. Prov. xvi. 14. C.

Provérbios 12:25

Ver. 25. Grief. Sept. "a fearful speech troubleth the heart of a (just) man."

Grabe. H.

Provérbios 12:26

Ver. 26. Just. A true friend will make any sacrifice. C. --- "I am convinced that friendship can subsist only among the good," says Cicero. Heb. "the just hath more, (C. Prot.) or is more excellent than his neighbour." Sept. "the intelligent just is his own friend; (but the sentences of the impious are contrary to equity.

Evils shall pursue sinners) but the way," &c. Grabe. H.

Provérbios 12:27

Ver. 27. Gain. Heb. and Sept. "his prey," (C.) or what "he took in hunting." Prot.

H.

Provérbios 12:28

Ver. 28. Bye-way. Of vice. Heb. "and a way which leadeth to death," or "its paths conduct to death." C.