Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:1

PErverse] Though he be rich and mighty.

Proverbs 19:3

Perverteth] Causeth all what he undertakes to goe backwards, and all his enterprizes and affaires to have an evill successe Against the Lord] As author of his calamities, which he ought to impute only to himselfe.

Proverbs 19:6

will entreat the savour] the Italian, doe reverence] namely, for ceremony, or for feare without any love, but liberality is that which gaineth the hearts: inferring, that power alone cannot gaine nor obtaine that so much desired and sweet bond of love in the hearts of men; which love being one of the necessariest foundations of a just domination, must begained by benefits.

Proverbs 19:7

His friends] namely, those which were his friends in prosperity, who are called, friends of fortune They are wanting] That is to say, no man hearkneth to him, nor gives him any favourable answer: Others, the words, namely, of a poore man doe not prevaile.

Proverbs 19:8

Loveth] Because that the good and happinesse of the soule, dependeth upon true wisdome.

Proverbs 19:11

To passeover] That is to say, to take no notice of it, but to forget and forgive it.

Proverbs 19:13

A continuall dropping] A very noisome thing, which at the last consumes and wastes the husbands life and health.

Proverbs 19:16

Despseth] He that lives carelessely and is indifferent in his wayes without eeding what he doth. See Leviticus 26:21. O he that taketh no care to rule his actions according to the will of God.

Proverbs 19:18

Let not thy soule, &c. the Italian, But undertake not thou to slay him] That is to say, chastising him moderately by way of correction, but not to death.

Proverbs 19:19

Deliver him] Namely, from the danger or the punishment which he is fallen into through some notable excesse committed by reason of his immoderate wrath. The meaning is, that it is better to let him suffer the evill which he hath deserved and drawn upon himselfe, that he may thereby amend; for pitty in such a case is hurtfull both to him and others.

Proverbs 19:22

His kindnesse] That is to say, liberality amongst worldly men, is but a meere kinde of merchandizing, giving a little to receive much: but a poore man who hath nothing to give is more to bee commended then such false benefactors.

Proverbs 19:24

In his bosome] or in his arme-pit Not so much] Hyperbolicall termes, to shew that even hunger it selfe is not able to put away his sloth from him.

Proverbs 19:25

Smite] That is to say, magistrates ought by severely punishing of those who transgresse boldly and maliciously; to give example and instruction to those who erre through ignorance and weaknesse. But as for the wise, reprove them only, and it is sufficient.

Proverbs 19:26

Chaseth away] Namely, that through his dissolute life, spending all the meanes, causeth his poore widowed mother to sell her house, and forsake her habitation wherein she had spent all her former dayes.

Proverbs 19:28

Devoureth] the Italian, Swalloweth] that is to say, he feedeth upon it, as upon a food which is proper unto him. Or makes no difficulty of committing of it, no more then he would of swallowing a pleasant liquor. See Job 15. 16. & 20. 12. 16. & 34. 7.