Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:1

Good. Hebrew, “a name,” or reputation. (Haydock) — It is preferable to riches, but not to be compared with virtue, which is the only solid good; and even to be placed above riches, it must be well grounded. (Calmet) — Favour with all. (Haydock)

Proverbs 22:2

Another. They stand in need of one another. (St. Chrysostom, hom. xxxiv. in 1 Corinthians.) — They are equal in God’s sight, who only values real virtue. He disposes of riches, so that the poor may one day become rich. (Calmet)

Proverbs 22:4

Fruit. Literally, “the end of modesty, (Haydock) or moderation, which must accompany every virtue.

Proverbs 22:5

Perverse. They are always in danger and in trouble.

Proverbs 22:6

It is a proverb, is added by St. Jerome, to make the sentence more striking. — It. He is like a tender plant, (Calmet) or wax, or a new vessel.Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem Testa diu. (Horace, ep. i. ad Lol.) — “Shall wool regain its whiteness after it has been dyed purple?” (St. Jerome, ad L'e6tam.) — Hebrew, “initiate a young,” &c. Proportion your lessons to his capacity, and make him relish them.

Proverbs 22:7

Servant. He might be sold, &c., Exodus xxii. 3., and Matthew xviii. 25. (Gell. xx. 1.) Plato (Leg. viii.) would have nothing sold on credit. These laws appear to be severe; but they are founded on wisdom, as nothing impoverishes more than the facility of borrowing.

Proverbs 22:8

Consumed. Or beaten with the flail of God’s anger.

Proverbs 22:9

Is. Hebrew, “has a good eye,” in opposition to the evil, or malicious one, Matthew xx. 15. — He, &c., is not in Hebrew, or in the Latin edition of Comp. and St. Jerome.

Proverbs 22:11

He. Septuagint, “the Lord loveth pious hearts. All the irreproachable are acceptable to him. The king feeds with lips,” by his just ordinances. (Haydock) — Kings hate duplicity; but require that the truth should be disclosed to them in a suitable manner.

Proverbs 22:13

Streets. Vain excuses of sloth!

Proverbs 22:14

It. Debauchery resembles hell, chap. xxiii. 23. (Calmet) — Facilis descensus Averni, &c. (Virgil, 'c6neid vi.)

Proverbs 22:15

Folly. Ignorance and innate corruption are corrected by a good education.

Proverbs 22:17

Incline. Thus Solomon concludes his discourse, (chap. xxiv. 23.) in the same manner as he began it, to chap. x. Some commence the third book of Proverbs in this place; others, chap. xxv. (Calmet)

Proverbs 22:18

Lips. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Haydock)

Proverbs 22:20

Ways. Repeatedly. (Bossuet; Tirinus) (2 Corinthians xii. 8., and Amos i. 11.) (Calmet) — Protestants, “have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge?” " Shalishim, " perfect, (Pagnin) or “three things,” (Montanus) means also (Haydock) such as might suit princes and great officers. (Calmet)

Proverbs 22:21

Sent. Septuagint, “are sent to thee.” Thou mayst become a teacher, (Haydock) or give satisfaction to thy parents, who have sent thee to my school. (Calmet)

Proverbs 22:22

Gate. Where judges passed sentence. (Menochius)

Proverbs 22:25

Soul. By imitating him, or by falling a victim to his rage.

Proverbs 22:26

Hands. Engaging to stand bond. (Haydock) (Chap. vi. 1.) — Such a one might be required to pay the debt, chap. xx. 16.

Proverbs 22:28

Set. The pagans made a god of Terminus, to prevent disputes. (Ovid, Fast. ii.) — If it be unlawful to disturb land-marks, how much more so is it to give way to novelty in religion? (Deuteronomy xix. 14.) (Calmet) — Solomon is addressing those who follow the true faith. Else the conduct of infidel ancestors should not deter any from embracing the truth. (Haydock)

Proverbs 22:29

Obscure. By industry he shall raise himself to notice. (Haydock) — Kings employ those who are most active. (Calmet)

Proverbs 22:31

CHAPTER XXII.