Proverbs 14

Proverbs 14:1

House. Giving her children a proper education, and taking care of her house, chap. xii. 4., and Titus ii. 5. (Calmet)

Proverbs 14:2

And, is not in Hebrew. — Is. Hebrew, “but the perverse in his ways despiseth him;” (Haydock) shewing by his conduct that he cares not for the Lord. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “he shall be dishonoured, that,” &c.

Proverbs 14:3

Pride. He chastiseth with haughtiness, and is ever quarrelling.

Proverbs 14:4

Empty. As the land has not bee cultivated. (Haydock) — Strength, or number of oxen. (Calmet) — “The virtue of the preachers is manifested where there are many converted to produce fruit.” (St. Gregory vii. ep. viii.)

Proverbs 14:6

Not. Because they seek it ill, like the pagan sages. Septuagint, “thou shalt seek wisdom among the wicked, and shalt not find it,” &c.

Proverbs 14:7

Prudence. Thou wilt presently perceive his weakness. Hebrew, “abandon a,” &c. He is not capable of hearing reason: keep at a distance.

Proverbs 14:8

Way. This science of the saints is the only true wisdom. — Erreth. They are inconstant. Hebrew, " is deceit." They are bent on it.

Proverbs 14:9

Sin. Chap. x. 23. Hebrew, “excuse sin,” (Calmet) or “mock at sin,” (Haydock) committed by others. (Menochius) — Grace, or good-will. They are agreeable to all. (Calmet)

Proverbs 14:10

Stranger. Such cannot well comfort the afflicted. A man is alone acquainted with the affections of his own heart. Septuagint, “he mixeth not insult” (Symmachus) “with strangers.”

Proverbs 14:12

Death. How many, under the garb of piety, follow their passions! How many are misled by their singularity, or by unskilful directors! (Calmet) — We must suspect our own judgment. (Menochius) — If any Turks, Jews, or heretics, lead a moral good life, it seemeth both to themselves and to other ignorant people that they are in the right way to salvation; but their error in faith leadeth them to eternal damnation. (Worthington) — The persecutors thought they did God a service by putting the apostles to death. Will they be excused? (Haydock)

Proverbs 14:13

Laughter. Septuagint, “with his counsels,” enjoying the content of a good conscience, and a heavenly reward; while the wicked, with all his self-approbation, shall be punished.

Proverbs 14:14

Above him, Septuagint, “with content sorrow is not mixed.” (Haydock) — Joy. Such is the condition of earthly things. (Pindar, Pyth. viii.)

Proverbs 14:15

Innocent. Good and unsuspecting; (Josue ix. 14., and 1 Corinthians xiii. 7.) or rather credulous, 1 John iv. 1. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “the man who is not bad.” — Steps. Septuagint, “repenteth.” (Haydock) — No, &c. This occurs (chap. xiii. 13.) in several copies: but here it is omitted in Hebrew, &c.

Proverbs 14:17

Folly. Wrath betrays us into great extravagances. — Hateful. Hebrew also, “hateth” folly. Septuagint, “the prudent beareth much,” Job v. 2. (Calmet)

Proverbs 14:20

Many. “Riches make friends, poverty tries them.” (Syrus.) — False friends resemble swallows, which retire at the approach of winter. (Cicero, ad Heren. iv.)

Proverbs 14:21

He….mercy, is not found in Hebrew, Greek, or Latin manuscripts. (Calmet)

Proverbs 14:22

Truth. Those who are kind and faithful. (Haydock) (Chap. iii. 3.) — Septuagint add, (Calmet) as a second version, (Grabe) “the workers of evils understand not mercy and truth: but kind and faithful actions are with those who do good.”

Proverbs 14:24

CHAPTER XIV.

Imprudence. This they always betray, while the wise use their riches to assist their fellow-creatures, and receive a crown of glory. (Haydock)

Proverbs 14:28

King. Who formerly was styled “a shepherd,” to remind him of the care with which he ought to seek the welfare of his subjects. (Calmet)

Proverbs 14:30

Bones. As a sound heart preserves the rest of the body, so a good intention often excuses from mortal sin, when the error is not gross. But envy corrupts the works which seem good, and which cannot bear a strict examination. (St. Gregory, Mor. v. 34.) (Worthington) — Envy ruins the health. (Menan. ap. Gort.[Grotius?]) — Septuagint, “a too sensible heart is the,” &c. This is beautiful; but not quite conformable to the Hebrew.

Proverbs 14:31

Him. God takes the poor under his special protection, (Matthew xxv. 40.) and is the distributor of all riches. What would the rich do without the poor? (Calmet)

Proverbs 14:33

And. Protestants, “but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.” (Haydock) — A vessel full of gold makes no noise, while that which contains only a few pieces sounds much. (Munster.) (Cornelius a Lapide) — Thus the fool makes a parade of all that he knows. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “but in the heart of fools, it is not known.” (Haydock) — Aquila and Theodotion have the negation, (Calmet) as well as the Syriac and Arabic. See chap. v. 16. (Kennicott)

Proverbs 14:34

Miserable. This sentence ought to be engraven in all public places. Hebrew, “and mercy the sinful people,” whom God spares on account of their alms-deeds, (Daniel iv. 24.) or “sin is the shame of peoples.” (Calmet) — Montanus renders chesed mercy, and Pagnin “ignominy.” The former is scarcely intelligible, et misericordia populorum peccatum, unless sin be here taken for a sin-offering, (Haydock) as it is by Vatable, Grotius, &c. (Calmet)

Proverbs 14:35

Nothing. Literally, “useless,” which often means bad. (Haydock) — A servant who does not discharge his duty is such. Hebrew, “he that causeth to blush,” and has no economy. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “He removes shame by his good management. Anger destroys the prudent; but a mild,” &c. (Haydock)