Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 15

Verse 1

Fury. This was seen in Nabal and Roboam, while Gideon and Abigail shewed the good effects of a mild answer, Judges viii. 1., and 1 Kings x. 25., and 3 Kings xii. 11.

Verse 2

Knowledge. It requires to be proposed in a proper manner.

Verse 4

Life. This comparison was become proverbial for something very excellent. Immoderate. Hebrew, "perverse." (Calmet) --- Evil discourse kills the souls both of those who speak, and of those who pay attention to it. (Haydock)

Verse 5

In abundant, &c. Is omitted in Hebrew, Chaldean, and many Greek and Latin copies. The same idea is expressed in the following verse.

Verse 7

Unlike. The wise, or themselves. Hebrew and Septuagint, "inconstant."

Verse 8

Wicked. Still unconverted, Ecclesiasticus xxxiv. 23. When they repent, and offer sacrifice with sincerity, they will obtain mercy. The Donatists abused this text, to prove that baptism conferred by wicked ministers was unavailing. But St. Augustine shewed them, that Christ was the principal agent, and conferred grace, even though the minister might draw down judgments on his own head. (Con. Parm. ii. 6.) --- Even pagans confessed, that sacrifices, without virtue, could afford no benefit. "God was more pleased with the prayers of the Lacedemonians, than with all the sacrifices of the Greeks," say the idolatrous priests in Plato, Alcib. ii. (Seneca de Ben. i. 5.)

Verse 10

Instruction. Hebrew, "a heavy punishment." (Haydock) --- The mind which gives way to vice, must have embraced some false doctrine.

Verse 11

Before. Naked. The state of the damned is known to God, chap. ix. 18. (Calmet)

Verse 13

Down. Compunction is salutary, but worldly grief blameable, chap. xxv. 20., and 2 Corinthians vii. 10. (St. Gregory, past. ii. 10.)

Verse 15

Feast. Those who repine at their condition are miserable; while the poor may be delivered from many cares. (Calmet) --- -----O vitæ tuta facultas

Pauperis angustique laris. (Luc. Phar. v.)

--- Under affliction every thing displeases; but all delights the cheerful temper.

Verse 16

Content. Septuagint, "fear." Hebrew, "with trouble," which is preferable, 1 Timothy vi. 6.

Verse 17

Calf. Or feast after sacrifice, 1 Kings xvii. 19., and Luke xv. 23.

Verse 19

Thorns. All seems to them impossible. (Calmet) --- In agriculture, however, (Haydock) "in domestic affairs, negligence is attended with more labour than diligence." (Colum. xii. 2.)

Verse 21

Fool. He thinks himself the most happy of mortals. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "the ways of the fools are senseless." (Haydock)

Verse 22

Counsel. Hebrew, "secrecy." --- Established. We put in execution without fear, what has been resolved maturely. (Calmet)

Verse 24

Above. Literally, "upon the learned." (Haydock) --- One path leads to the realms above. (Calmet) --- The wise must be intent on God. (Menochius)

Verse 26

Shall by, &c., is not added in Hebrew, &c., nor in several Latin manuscripts.

Verse 27

Troubleth. With all sorts of temporal misfortunes. A judge who receives bribes, is accursed, Exodus xxiii. 8. --- By, &c., is not here in Hebrew, but [in] chap. xvi. 6. St. Cyprian (3 Test.) found it in his copy. --- Faith, or fidelity and truth, as it is elsewhere expressed, chap. iii. 3. These virtues move God to pardon.

Verse 28

Studieth. And speaks deliberately. Roman Septuagint is more embarrassed in the rest of this, and the nine first verses of the following chapter, than the Complutensian edition.

Verse 30

Fat. And contributes to health. By less noble motives, the mind is gradually raised to the more excellent.

Verse 33

Lesson. Or "what teacheth." Humility, or docility, as those who acknowledge no master will never be wise, Matthew xxiii. 12. (Calmet)

Verse 35

CHAPTER XV.