Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11:1

Balance. Both in commerce, (Deuteronomy xxv. 13.; Calmet) and in passing sentence on others. (Ven. Bede)

Proverbs 11:2

Wisdom. God resists the proud, chap. xvi. 18., and xviii. 12., and James iv. 6.

Proverbs 11:7

So licitous. Or ambitious. Hebrew, “the potent,” or Septuagint, “the impious.”

Proverbs 11:8

For him. As comparatively nothing worth to his master, chap. xxi. 18., and Isaias xliii. 3

Proverbs 11:11

Overthrown. Ten just men would have saved Sodom. Achan alone threw all Israel into confusion. (Calmet)

Proverbs 11:12

Mean. Literally, “indigent” of sense. (Haydock) — We must put up with some faults, as none are without. (Horace i. Sat. 3.) (Calmet)

Proverbs 11:13

Walketh. Septuagint, “the double-tongued,” dissembler, or great talker. (Calmet)

Proverbs 11:15

That is. Hebrew, “that hateth those who make agreements is secure.” (Mont.[Montanus?])

Proverbs 11:16

Gracious. Virtuous and beautiful, as God hath granted beauty also for good purposes. This and virtue tend to the advancement of women, while men can use their strength to acquire riches. (Calmet) — Glory. Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic add, “of her husband. But she that hateth righteousness is a throne of disgrace. The slothful, though rich, shall come to poverty; but the laborious shall retain their riches.” Two hemistics seem to be lost in Hebrew. (Kennicott) — Most of the additions in the Septuagint are only glosses, or useless repetitions, (Calmet) though they seem not to be so in this place. (Haydock)

Proverbs 11:17

Kindred. Hebrew, “flesh,” Genesis xxix. 14. The miser is cruel even to himself.

Proverbs 11:21

In hand. At rest, or making agreements. God will punish the race of the wicked.

Proverbs 11:22

Foolish. Beauty, without prudence, leads to ruin, as ornaments are ill bestowed on swine. The women in the east sometimes wore rings in their noses, (Genesis xxiv. 22.; Calmet) or hanging down upon them, Isaias iii. 21. (Menochius)

Proverbs 11:24

Others. Moderation is always requisite. Hebrew, “there is one withholding from rectitude, yet for a defect,” (Mont.[Montanus?]) being too saving, he is a loser. (Haydock) — Avarice does not always increase riches. (Calmet)

Proverbs 11:25

Himself. He shall receive abundantly, 2 Corinthians ix. 6. The beneficent shall be amply rewarded both in this world and in the next.

Proverbs 11:26

Corn. In times of scarcity. See Amos viii. 7.

Proverbs 11:29

House. By his profligacy, or law-suits, shall be impoverished, (ver. 17.; Calmet) or if he act with violence, he will make his house empty, Ecclesiasticus iv. 35. (Menochius)

Proverbs 11:30

CHAPTER XI.

Life. Producing excellent fruits of virtue and edification.

Proverbs 11:31

Receive. Punishment, for almost inevitable faults, or be treated according to his deserts. Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic, “if the just be hardly saved, where shall the impious and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter iv. 18.) (Calmet) — Afflictions attend the just in this life. Shall the wicked escape? (Menochius)