The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 567

life, conduct, and actions to the influence of regard of others' claims, an inability to ex- women, who, both by the dissipation and amine q_uestions impartially, a.ud consequent sensuality which they O<',casion, and the perversion of justice. Isaiah (v. 23) speaks quarrels which they provoke, and the evil of intoxication as inducing men to "justify counsels which they give, often ruin kings the wicked for reward, and take away the and states (see the injuuction, Deut. righteousness of the righteous from him." xvii. 11). The Vulgate rendering, ad Ver, 6.-There e.re cases where strong delendos reges, looks as if the warning was drink may be properly administered. Give against making wars of conquest against strong drink unto him that ie ready to perish neighbouring kings; but this is uot a. satis- (Job xxix. 13; xxxi. 19). As a restorative, factory parallel to the former clause. Sep- a cordial, or a medicine, wine may be a.dva.n- tuagint, " Give not thy wealth unto women, ta.ge?usly used ; it ha.s a. place in the provi- nor thy mind, nor ihy life uuto remorse dential economy of God. "Use a. little wine ( {,;,.,-<pofjou>..ia.v ). Do all things with counsel; for thy stomach's sa.ke and thine often in- driuk ~ne with counsel." This seems to firmities," was St. Paul's advice to Timothy belong to the next verse. (l Tim. v. 23). It is supposed to have been Vers. 4-7.-The second admonition. A in consideration of the injunction in the text warning against inebriety, and concerning a. that the la.dies of Jerusalem'. provided for criminals on their wa.y to the place of execu- proper use of strong drink. tion a drink of medicated wine, which might Ver. 4-.-It is not for kings; or, as others dee.den the pain of suffering. This wa.s the read, far be it from kings. The injunction draught rejected by Christ, who willed to is repeated to indicate its vast importance. taste the full bitterness of daa.th (Matt. xxvii. Nor for princes strong drink; literally, 34; Mark xv. 23). The Septuagint has," to nor for princes (the word), Where is strong those that are in sorrow; " so the Vulgate, drinlc f (see on eh. xx. l; and comp. Job mzrentibl/,8, but this makes the two clauses xv. 23). The evils of intemperance, fla- ta.utologica.l. Wine unto those that be ot grant enough in the case of a private per- heavy hearts (Job iii. 20). "Wiue," ea.ye son, o.re greatly enhanced in the case of a the psalmist, '' maketh glad the heart of king, whose misdeeds may affect a whole man" (Ps. oiv. 15). Says Homer, 'Iliad,' co=unity, as the next verse intimates. vi. 261- St. Jerome reads differently, traDBlating, " Great is the strength .. Because there is no secret where drunken- Which generous wine iwpa.rts to wearied ness reigns." This is in accordance with men." the proverb, "When wine goes in the secret comes out;" and. "Where drink euters, "Wine," says St. Chrysostom (' Hom. iu wisdom departs ; " and again, " Quod fotet Ephes.,' xix.), "has been given us for cheer- in mente sobrii, hoe natat in ore ebrii." fulness, not for drunkenness. Wouldest Septuagint," The powerful are irascible, but thou know where wine is good? Hear what let them not drink wine.'' "Drunken- the Scripture sa.ith, 'Give wine to them, ness," says Jeremy Taylor (' Holy Living,' etc. And justly, because it can mitigate eh. iii. § 2), "opens a.11 the sanctuaries asperity and gloominess, and drive e,way of nature, and discovers the nakedness clouds from the brow" (comp.Ecclus.:xxxiv. of the son], a.ll its weaknesses and follies; (xxxi.J 25, etc.). it multiplies sins a.nd discovers them; it Ver. 7.-Let him drink, a.nd forget hie makes a. man incapable of being a private poverty. Ovid, ' Art. Amat.,' i. 237- friend or a. pnblic counsellor. It taketh a " Vina. pa.rant a.nimos, fooiuntque caloribus man's son! into ale.very and imprisonment a.ptos; more •than any vice whatsoever, because Cura. fugit multo diluiturque mero. it dii;e.rms a. ma.n of a.11 his reason a.nd Tune veniunt risus; tune pauper comua. his wisdom, whereby he might be cured, sumit; and, therefore, commonly it grows upon him Tuno dolor, et our10, ruga.q ue frontis with a.ge ; a drunkard being still more a. fool a.bit." a.nd less a man." Ver. 5.-This gives a reason for the warn- Thus is shown a. way in which the rich ca.n ing. Lest they drink, a.nd forget the La.w. comfort a.nd encourage thoir poorer brethren, That which has been decreed, a.nd is right which is a better method of using God's and lawful, the appointed ordinance, pnrlicu- good gifts thnn by expending them on their larly as regards the administration of jus- own selfish enjoyment. tice. Septuagint, "Lest drinking, they forget Vera. 8, 9.-The third exhortation, ad- wisdom." And pervert the judgment of any monishing the king to judge righteously. of the afflicted; literally, of a.ll the aona of a.iftiction; i.e. the whole class of poorer Ver. 8.-0pen thy mouth for the dumb, v.,oplc. lntemperaucc lcada to selfish diB• 'fhe "dumb" is any one who for o.ny reason err. XXXI, 1-31.] THE PROVERBS. 697