The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 199

mud pronounces, "To love n. thing makes contrasted with the gains obtained by any the eve blind, the ear denf;" and the Arab means, discreditable or not. says,·.. Love is the companion of blindness." Ver. 17.-Re is in the way of life (eh. Scptnngint, "Lovo (cp,7'./a)covercth all those v. 6). It is a way of life when a man who lovo not sti-ife." keepeth instruction, taketh to heart wha.t is Ver. 13.-Wisdom is folllld (comp. Ps. taught by da.ily providences and the wisdom xxxvii. 30). The man of understanding is of experience. Such teachablencss leads to discreet in speech, and does not cause happiness here and hereafter. Erreth (J er. trouble by rash or foolish words. A rod xiii. 20); not "causeth to err," as in the (eh. xix. 29; xxvi. 3). A fool brings upon margin, which weakens the antithesis. himself punishment by his insensate talk. Septuagint, "Instruction ( ...a,IMa) gua.rdeth Void of understanding; Hebrew, "wanting the ways of life, but he who is unaffected in heart;" Vulgate, qui indiget corde. The by instruction goeth astray" (comp. Heb. LXX. combines the two members into one xii. 7, etc.). proposition, "He who putteth forth wisdom Ver. 18.-This verse ought to be trans- witb his lips is a rod to chastise the man lated, Re that hideth hatred is [a. man] of without heart." In the Hebrew conception lying lips, and he that uttereth slander the "heart " is the seat, not only of the is a fool. He who cherishes hatred in the passions and affections, but also of the intel- heart must be a liar and a hypocrite, speak- lectual faculties. ing and acting in a way contrary lo bis real Yer. 14.-La.y up knowledge; liken. trea- sentiments; if he divulges his slander, he is surn, for use on proper occasions ( eh. xii. a stupid fool, injuring his neighbour, and 23; xiv. 33; comp. Matt. vii. 6; xiii. 52). procuring ill will for himself. The LXX. Is near destruotion. "Near" may be an reads, "Just (6/,ca,a) lips conceal hatred;" adjective, equiva.lent to "imminent," "ever- but probably 61,ca,a is an error for if.6,,c,i or threatening." The versions are pro:rim11,111 6&7'.,iz, though Ewald defends it, a.nd would est and ,!yy((e,, The foolish are always alter the Hebrew to suit it. uttering carelessly what may bring trouble Ver. 19.-There wa.nteth not sin; LXX., on themselves and others. "Thou wilt not avoid sin." Loquacity leads Ver. 15.-lJis strong city (eh. xviii. 11). to exaggeration and untruthfulness, slander Wealth is a help in many ways, securing and uncharitableness (comp. Eccles. v.1-3; from dangers, giving time and opportunity and Christ's and James's solemn warnings, for acquiring wisdom, making- one indepen- Matt. xii. 36; J as. i. 26: iii. 2, etc.). "Speak dent und free in action (Eccles. vii. 12: little," says Pinn.rt (' Medit!ltions.' eh. vi.), Ecclus. xl. 25, etc.). The destruotion of the "because for one sin which we mav commit poor is their poverty. The poor are crushed, by keeping silence where it would be well exposed to all kinds of evil, moral and ma- to speak, we commit a hundred by speaking terial, by their want of means. The word upon all occasions" (see on eh. xvii. 27). for "poor" is here dal, which implies weak- Another rendering of the pass11ge gives" By nessand innbilityto help one's self: the other multitude of words sin does not vanish word commonly used for "poor" is rash, away;" i.e. you cannot mend a fault by which signifies rather "impecuniosity," op- much talking. But this weakens the con- posed to" wealthy." So in the present pas- trnst, and the Authorized Version is correct. sage the LXX. renders o.rr8,vwv," the feeble." Is wise. St.James culls the reticent" a per- The poor were but lightly regarded till Christ fect m!ln" (comp. eh. xiii. 3). " 'rhis sen- pronounced the benediction, " Blessed be tence of Scripture," says St. Augustine, in ye poor : for yours is the kingdom of God " his• Retract11tions,' "I greatly fear, because (Luke vi. 20). The view of Theognis my numerous treatises, I know well, contain (' Parron.,' 177) will speak the experience many things, if not false, at any rate idle of many- and unnecessary." Ver. 20.-Choice (eh. viii. 10, 19); tested,, Kai -yo.p riv¾p 'll'Evlp '6e'6µ.11µ.lvos o!i -rl -r1 el'll'tiv purified by fire; 'll'e1rupwµ.,vos, Septuugint. 01/8' <p{a, '6vva-ral' -yJ..wrrrra '6~ ol '6t'6e-ra,. Is little worth; mere dross, in contradis- "A man, by crushing poverty subdued, tinction to choice silver. So the tongue is Can freely nothing either suy or do-- contrasted with the heart, out of whose His very tongue is tied." obnndauce it speaketh (Ecclus. x.xi. 26, "'rhe heart of fool~ is in their mouth; but Ver. 16.-Tondeth to life (eh. xi. 19). the mouth of tho wise is in their heart"). Honest labour brings its own reward in the Septuagint, "The heart of the godless shall blessing of God and a long and peaceful life. fail (,,cJ..,/1/m)." The fruit of the wioked. All the profit that Ver. 21.-Feed many. The righteous by the wicked make they use in the service of wise counsel teach, support, und guide llin, which tends only to death (Rom. vi. 21). others (Eccles. xii. 11; J er. iii. 15). So The due reward of honourable industry is the clergy nre the shepherds of their tlookl;  ms 'l'HE PROVERI3S. [ou. x. 1-32.