The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 236

of the impious are evil; but the roots of prudent mnn oovereth-conoe!lleth-shame; th<' pious nre in strongholds," i.e. are secure. takes no notice of an affront at the moment~ Ver. 13.-The wicked is snared by the knowing thllt by resenting it be will only transgression of bis lips ; rnther, in tM make ml\tters worse, and that it is best to tramgres~ion of the Ups is aoi evil snare ( eh. let passions cool before be trice to set the :niii. 7). A man by speaking- unadvisedly matter 1·ight (comp. eh. :xx. 22; xxiv. 29). or in,rmp&rately brings trouble upon him- Christ's injunction goes fo1· beyond this self, in\"olves himself in difticulties which m11xim of worldly prudence: "I say unto he did not foresee. Often when he has you that ye resist not evil;" "Unto him spoken in order to injure others, the slander that smitctb thee on the one cheek, offer or 1be cc>nsure has redounded on himself also the other" (Matt, v. 39; Luke vi. 29) ; (comp. Ps. ,ii. 15, 16; ix. 16). The just; a.nd it is certain that these maxims might the man who does not offend with his lips, be carried into practice much more than avoids these snares. 'l.'he Septuagint here they are, even in the present state of society. introduces a couplet not found in the Septuagint, "A clever man (1ra,,,,iip-yos; Hebrew: "He who looketh gently (o {31,J,,,,,v callidus, Vulgate) concealeth his own dis- 7',io.) shall obtain mercy; but he who fre- grace." Corn. a Lapide quotes a Hebrew quents the gates [or,' cont.inds in the gates,' proverb which asserts that a rnau'e character lJ'vva.v-rwv iv ..-v7'a:is] will harass souls." is accurately discerned "by purse, by cup, This seems to mean the man who is calm by anger; " i.e. by his conduct in money and considerate for others will himself be transactions, under the influence of wine, treated with pity and consideration (Matt. and in the excitement of anger. v. 7); but he who is a gossip, or a busy- Ver. 17.-He that speaketh-hreatheth body, or litigious, will be always vexing his outfea.rlessly(eh. vi.19)-truth showeth forth neighbonrs. righteousness, The truth always conduces Ver. 14.-A man shall be satisfied with to justice and right, not only in a ma.tter of gooo. by the fruit of his month (eh. xiii. 2; law, but generally and in all cases. Vulgnte, :xiY. 14; :xviii. 20). A man's words are like "He who speaks that which he knows is seeds, and if they are wise and pure and a discoverer of justice;" Septuagint, "A kindly, they will bring forth the fruit of love just man announces well-proved assurance and favour and respect. Christian commen- [or, 'the open truth '](,.,,,6rncvvµ/v17v,r(lJ'-r1v)." tators see here a reference to the day of A false witness showeth forth deceit (eh. judgmen t, wherein great stress is laid on the xiv. 5, 25); exhibits his true character, words ~'latt. xii. 37). Of a man's hands, which is fraud, treachery, and wrong-doing, That which a man bas done, his kindly Ver. 18.-There is that spee.keth. The actions, shall meet with full rewa.rd (comp. word implies speaking thoughtlessly, rashly; Isa. iiL 10, 11; Matt. :x.xv. 35, etc.; Rom. hence we may render, "a babbler," "prater." ii. 6). Such a one inflicts wounds with his sense- Ver. 15.-The way of a fool is right in less tattle. Like the pieroings of a sword. hie own eyes; i.e. in his own judgment ( eh. The point of the simile is seen when we iii. 7 : xn. 2). The second cla.use is best remember that the edge of the sword is translated, as in the Revised Version," But called its "mouth" in the Hebrew (Gen, he that is wise hearkenetb unto counsel," xxxiv. 26; Exod. xvii. 13, etc.; comp. Ps. distrusting his ow,1 unaided judgment, which lix. 7; ]xiv. 1l). The Greek gnome says- rui~ht lead hlm astray (eh. xiii. 10; xiv. Eicpos 'Tt-rpC:,a'ICH lJ'wµa, -rbv 6e l'OVV l\O-yos, 12 ~ xvi. 25; xxi. 2; comp. Ecclus. xxxv. "A sword the body wounds, a word the 19 ; Tobit iv. 18). Theognis, 221, etc.- soul." .,Os 'TLS -ro, Oo,cEe, "T0v 1rA.11ulov 'lOµeva., olJO~v, Vulgatc, est qui promittit, which restricts 'AAA' aLITDs µ.olJvos 1rouC:>..a Ofive' lxeiv, the scope of the clause to the making of K,,v6s 1! lf</>P"'" tcr-rl, p6ov /3•f37'a:J-'µ<POS vain promises (Lev. v. 4; 'Numb. xxx. 7-9), icr0A.oti, continuing, et quasi gladio pungitur con- 'IlJ'"'S ')'a.p ,rc/.v-r,s ,ro,,c/7'' l,rilJ'-rcl.µ,0a. acientire, "And is pierced a.s it were by the "Who thinks his neighbour nothing kuows, sword of his <'.onscience," where "con- And he alone can see, science" is added to make tho meaning Is but a fool, for we perhaps plain. Such a man suffers remorse if he Know eyen more than he." breaks his promise, or if, like Jeplithnh, he Ver. 16.-A fool's wrath is presently(" in keeps it. The tongue of the wise is health; the day" a:M1}µ<poP) known. A foollib man, it does not pierc,:i and wound lilrn that of if be J vexed, insulted, or slighted, has no the chatterer, rather it soothes and heals even when it reproves (eh. iv. 22; x. 11). idea or controlling himself or checking the expression of hi8 aroused feelings; he at Ver. 19.-The lip of truth shall be estab- once, in the Harne day on which he ha.a been lished for ever. Truth is consistent, in- incemed, makes his vcxa~ion known. A vincible, endul'ing; und the fact belongs Oil, XII, 1-28.] 'fHE PROVERBS. 237