Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:1

Israel. The dignity of the author, and the importance of the subject, invite us to read. (St. Basil) — Solomon is the first whose name is placed at the head of any work in Scripture. (Calmet)

Proverbs 1:2

To know. This is the design of these parables. (Calmet) — They tend to instruct both the unexperienced and the wise, ver. 5. There are three sorts of wisdom: the divine, which is God himself; (chap. iii. 16.) the supernatural, which is his gift, to lead us into all virtue; and the worldly, which is mixed with error, &c. (Worthington) (Wisdom vii. 25.)

Proverbs 1:4

Subtilty. Discretion to the innocent. (Calmet)

Proverbs 1:5

CHAPTER I.

Wiser. “Tamdiu audiendum & discendum est, quamdiu nescias, & si proverbio credimus, quamdiu vivas,” says Seneca, ep. 77. — Governments. And be fit to govern others, (Worthington) as well as himself. (Calmet)

Proverbs 1:6

Sayings. This science was much esteemed, 3 Kings x. l., and Ecclesiasticus xxxix. 2.

Proverbs 1:7

Fear. Thus we arrive at charity. (St. Augustine, in ep. Jo. ix.; Job xxviii. 28., &c.) This fear includes religion, but not barren speculations. (Calmet) — It implies a desire to act, and not simply to understand.

Proverbs 1:8

Mother. The first precept is to learn of our elders, and the second to resist evil counsels, ver. 10. (Worthington) — Our parents have the greatest influence over us. Solomon presupposes that they are virtuous and well informed. (Calmet)

Proverbs 1:10

Entice. Hebrew, “deceive.” (Calmet) — Pessimum inimicorum genus laudantes. (Tacitus, in vit. Agric.)

Proverbs 1:12

Pit. Grave, or hell, like Dathan, Numbers xvi. This shews the greatest rage, Job xxxi. 31.

Proverbs 1:17

Wings. If thou attend, therefore, to my instructions, their arts will be vain. (Ven. Bede) — They unjustly seek to deceive the pious. (Calmet) — Watchfulness will be the best protection against them. (Worthington)

Proverbs 1:19

Possessors. Of money. (Calmet) — While they attempt to invade another’s property, they ruin themselves, and come to the gallows. (Haydock)

Proverbs 1:20

Streets. In every place we may learn wisdom. “The wise learn more from fools, than fools do from the wise,” as Cato well observed. (Calmet)

Proverbs 1:22

Fools. Hebrew, “and scorners delight in their scorning.” (Protestants) — Such are the pests of society. (Haydock) — They turn piety to ridicule, and will talk about things which they do not understand, like our esprits forts, (Calmet) or pretended philosophers. (Haydock)

Proverbs 1:26

Mock. God is too much above us to act thus; but he will treat us as an enraged enemy. (Calmet) — In hell, the damned will cry in vain, ver. 28. They had sufficient graces offered while they were alive. (Worthington)

Proverbs 1:28

Find me. Because their repentance was false, like that of Antiochus, 2 Machabees ix. 13., and Psalm xi. 4. (Calmet)

Proverbs 1:30

Despised. Literally, “destracted,” (Haydock) supposing my threats would not be put in execution. Hebrew, “they abhorred.” (Calmet)

Proverbs 1:32

Turning. Hebrew, “the ease of the simple,” who have given way to deceit. (Calmet) — Them. The objects of their eager desires, prove their ruin, Ezechiel xvi. 49.

Proverbs 1:33

Evils. Both the just and the wicked, (ver. 31.; Haydock) shall be treated according to their deserts, 2 Corinthians v. 10. (Worthington) — Even in this world, the just enjoy the peace of a good conscience. (Menochius)