Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20:1

A luxurious thing. Hebrew, “a scoffer.” Chaldean, “renders one a scoffer.” — Drunkenness. Hebrew ssocor, any strong drink, particularly palm-wine. Intemperance places the strongest obstacles in the way of wisdom. It causes a person to mock at all sacred things, and to be quarrelsome, chap. xxiii. 29., and Ephesians v. 18.

Proverbs 20:3

Reproaches. It is better not to commence a lawsuit, even when we are in the right, chap. xvii. 11. (Calmet) — Plena victoria est ad clamantem tacere. (Val. Max.)

Proverbs 20:5

Out. So David discovered the meaning of the Thecuite, 2 Kings xiv. 18. A wise politician carefully examines everything in a foreign court.

Proverbs 20:6

Faithful. Few continue steady to their engagements or friends, whom they will assist to a certain point. In God these two virtues always go together, Psalm lxxxiv. 11. But they are rarely found in men. (Calmet)

Proverbs 20:8

Look. It is the duty of kings to administer justice.

Proverbs 20:9

Sin. Protestants, “my sin?” We know not when it is remitted. (Haydock) — Without a special revelation, no one can be secure, 1 John i. 8., and Ecclesiastes ix. 1. (Bayn.) (St. Augustine in Psalm cxlix.)

Proverbs 20:10

Measures. In commerce, (Calmet) as well as in judging. (St. Gregory in Ezechiel iv.)

Proverbs 20:11

Right. We may form some judgment of his future conduct, from the inclinations which he manifests in his infancy.Naturam expellas furca, tamen ipsa recurret, Et mala perrumpet furtim fastidia victrix. (Horace)

Proverbs 20:12

Both. Consequently he will know all our actions, Psalm xciii. 9. We must refer all to him, as he gives us the means of learning. (Calmet)

Proverbs 20:13

Sleep. Septuagint, “back-biting, that thou mayst not be taken off.” (Haydock)

Proverbs 20:14

Buyer. This is the common practice; yet it is not without exceptions. St. Augustine (Trin. xiii. 3.) observes, that the mountebank having promised to tell what every person had in his heart, many came to the theatre, when he told them that they all wished to by cheap, and to sell dear. They all applauded the remark. (Calmet) — Septuagint is here defective. (Haydock)

Proverbs 20:16

Strangers. For whom he has bound himself foolishly, chap. vi. 1. All who have the care of others, must answer for them. (Calmet)

Proverbs 20:17

Lying. Deceit, and unlawful pleasures, chap. ix. 17. But God mingles disgust with them, and will punish the guilty, at least hereafter. Worldly enjoyments seem sweet, but they are full of gravel, and hurtful.

Proverbs 20:18

Governments. Or prudence, else the best designs may prove abortive.

Proverbs 20:19

Lips. And speaketh much. These people are unworthy of our friendship.

Proverbs 20:20

Lamp. Prosperity, or children.

Proverbs 20:21

Blessing. It is morally impossible that they should have been acquired justly, chap. xiii. 11., and xxi. 5.

Proverbs 20:22

Evil. And revenge myself. This belongs to the Lord, Deuteronomy xxxii. 35. Man would be too favourable to himself, and would also pronounce his own condemnation, as he is also a sinner.

Proverbs 20:24

Way? Jeremias x. 23. Independently of God, who can do any good? (Calmet)

Proverbs 20:25

Ones. Hebrew, “the saint or holy thing.” (Haydock) — Chaldean, “to make a vow for the sanctuary, and afterwards repent;” having acted inconsiderately at first. To attack the persons or relics of the saints, or to plunder what is consecrated to pious uses, will bring on destruction; so also to make vows, and then seek to evade them, will not pass unpunished. (Calmet)

Proverbs 20:26

Wheel. Or triumphal arch, fornicem. (Ven. Bede; Jansenius) — He will make his enemies lie prostrate under his chariot-wheels, 2 Kings xii. 31.

Proverbs 20:27

Lamp. The breath of life, (Genesis ii. 7.) and the light of man, 1 Corinthians ii. 11.

Proverbs 20:28

Clemency. Such a king need not fear rebellion. (Calmet)

Proverbs 20:29

CHAPTER XX.

Hairs, and experience. They have a greater contempt of death and pleasures. (St. Ambrose, Hex. i. 8.)

Proverbs 20:30

Evils. The wicked shall derive benefit from correction. — Belly. They shall feel the remorse of conscience, as Chaldean seems to indicate. (Calmet) — A serious illness often causes people to repent. (Menochius)