Proverbs 3:16

Length of days [is] in her right hand,.... Wisdom is here represented as a queen, as indeed she is above all kings and queens; see Proverbs 8:15; holding in one hand, instead of a sceptre, "length of

Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Length of days is in her right hand (cf. note, Proverbs 3:2); and in her left hand riches and honour.

Wisdom is here represented as a great and generous princess distributing gifts to her subjects. She giveth them long life, &c., unless when she foresees that these things would prove snares and mischiefs to them, as they very frequently do to others.

Proverbs 3:16 Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.Ver. 16. Length of days is in her right hand.] This is the same in effect with Proverbs 3:2. Oυμονονταυτααλλακαιπεριταυτων, said Socrates. The same again may be profitably said over; Solomon wanted neither matter, nor words, and yet he repeats and inculcates (for his readers’ greater benefit) the same matter in the self same words almost. Nunquam satis dicitur quod nunquam satis discitur. As to the text, health and long life is that which every man covets. Now, Non domus et fundus, non aeris acervus et auri aegroto domini deducant corpore febres. "Riches avail not in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivereth from death." The honourable garter cannot cure the gout, nor the chair of state ease the colic, nor a crown remove the headache. Nugas, the Scythian, despising the rich presents and ornaments that were sent unto him by Michael Paleologus, Emperor of Constantinople, asked whether those things could drive away calamities, diseases, or death? No; this they cannot do; as Henry Beaufort (that rich and wretched Cardinal) found by woeful experience in the reign of Henry the Sixth. For perceiving death at hand, he asked, Wherefore should I die, being so rich? If the whole realm would save my life, I am able either by policy to get it, or by riches to buy it. Fie! quoth he, will not death be hired? will money do nothing? No; money in this case bears no mastery. Death (as the jealous man) will not regard any ransom, neither will he rest content though thou offer many gifts. And in her left hand riches and honour.] Bonus Deus Constantinum Magnum tantis terrenis implevit muneribus, quanta optare nullus auderet. The good Lord heaped so much outward happiness upon his faithful servant, Constantine the Great, as no man ever durst to have wished more, saith Augustine. If God give his people a crown, he will not deny them a crust. If they have bona throni, the good things of a throne, they shall be sure of bona scabelli, the good things of the footstool. Seneca. Horat. Pachymer. Hist., lib. v. Foxe, Martyrol., vol. i. p 925. Aug., De Civit. Dei, lib. v. cap. 25.

Verse 16. Length of days is in her right hand] A wicked man shortens his days by excesses; a righteous man prolongs his by temperance. In her left hand riches and honour.] That is, her hands are full of the choicest benefits. There is nothing to be understood here by the right hand in preference to the left.

16. The LXX. add at the end of this verse: “Out of her mouth proceedeth righteousness; Instruction and compassion she beareth upon her tongue.”

16. Right hand… left hand — Wisdom is here represented as dispensing her blessings with both hands, that is, abundantly.