Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21:1

It. Though it be free, and may resist grace or embrace virtue, Isaias xlv. 22., Jeremias iii. 14., and vii. 3., and Josue xxiv. 23. (Calmet) — Yet God knows how to turn the heart even of a king, so as to preserve his liberty, with the same ease as a gardener brings the streams of water to his plants. (Menochius)

Proverbs 21:3

Mercy. Septuagint, “justice and truth.” (Haydock) See Osee vi. 6. (Menochius)

Proverbs 21:4

Heart. Or when it is proud, it causes the eyes to appear so too. (Calmet) — Lamp. Protestants, “ploughing of the wicked is sin.” When it is done with a bad motive, out of pride. Hebrew, “the haughtiness of the eyes, and the enlarging of the heart, are the labour (” tillage, " Montanus; " thought, " Pagnin) of the wicked; yea, sin." (Haydock) — Those things are their employment, and their sin. (Calmet) — Septuagint and Vulgate may also mean, “sin is the lamp and exultation of the wicked.” (Haydock)

Proverbs 21:5

Sluggard. Hebrew, “hasty man,” as the slothful is ironically styled. He would see his desires accomplished without labouring; and will never stick to work. This levity is most injurious to his advancement.

Proverbs 21:6

Death. Their injustice shall be punished.

Proverbs 21:8

Strange. Unknown, impure way, Leviticus x. 1., and Deuteronomy xvii. 15. (Calmet)

Proverbs 21:9

Top, as the roofs in Palestine were flat. (St. Jerome, ad Sun.) — Any inconvenience had better be endured, than to live with the quarrelsome. (Menochius)

Proverbs 21:10

Neighbour. Symmachus, “he has no idea of friendship.” Septuagint, “he shall not be treated with mercy by any man.” (Haydock)

Proverbs 21:11

Knowledge. These are the effects of chastisements and good company.

Proverbs 21:12

Evil. He tries every expedient to save him. — That. Septuagint, “he despises.” Symmachus, “throws down.”

Proverbs 21:14

Bosom. In private. (Calmet) — They put all valuable things in the bosom. (Haydock)

Proverbs 21:15

To do judgment. Or to see it done, while the wicked depend only on the corruption of their judges.

Proverbs 21:16

Giants, in hell, chap xv. 11., Job xxvi. 5., and Ezechiel xxii. 21.

Proverbs 21:17

Rich. Economy is constantly recommended. (Calmet) — Those who squandered away their goods, were fined by the Areopagites. (Atheneus iv. 19.)

Proverbs 21:18

Righteous. Many are deterred from wickedness by the punishment of malefactors, whose injuries are frequently irreparable. God abandoned Pharao and Aman to save his people. He treated them as victims of wrath, Isaias xliii. 3.

Proverbs 21:20

Treasure of provisions. Temporal blessings were promised as a figure of more lasting ones, which are set before Christians.

Proverbs 21:22

Thereof. Nothing can resist, Matthew xii. 29., and Ecclesiastes ix. 16. (Calmet)

Proverbs 21:23

Mouth, from eating too much. (Lyranus)

Proverbs 21:24

Ignorant. Hebrew, “a scoffer.” Septuagint, “pestilent.” (Haydock) — Such a one is always actuated by pride, when he attempts to turn good advice and religion to ridicule.

Proverbs 21:25

At all. Hence his desires of riches and wisdom prove fruitless, chap. xiii. 4.

Proverbs 21:27

Wickedness. Hebrew, “with an evil thought.” (Montanus) Ecclesiasticus xxxiv. 24. (Haydock)

Proverbs 21:28

Obedient. Attentive, faithful witness, shall speak with triumph, or he who obeys the law, shall gain the victory over the devil, &c. (Philippians ii. 8.)

Proverbs 21:29

Face. Never blushing, or yielding to good advice.

Proverbs 21:30

CHAPTER XXI.

Proverbs 21:31

Battle. It was kept for no other purpose by the eastern nations, who used oxen to till the land; asses and camels to carry burdens, Job xxxix. 18., and Psalm xix. 8., and xxxii. 17. (Calmet)