Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23:1

Sit. Saul sat at table, and the custom of lying down was adopted only a little while before the captivity. It was recent among the Romans. (Calmet) — Soliti patres considere mensis. (Virgil, 'c6neid vii. 170.)

Proverbs 23:2

Throat. Restrain intemperance and talkativeness, Ecclesiasticus xxxi. 12. Septuagint, “stretch forth thy hand, knowing that thou must prepare the like; but if thou be more insatiable, desire not his meats, for he has them of deceitful life.” They cannot afford real happiness, (Haydock) and to vie with the rich would only reduce them to poverty, Ecclesiasticus xiii. 2. St. Augustine (tr. xlvii. in Joan.) explains this text of the blessed Eucharist, observing, that we must give our life for our brethren, as Christ did for us. Before communion, we must slay the old man, and subdue our passions. (Calmet) — Power. Protestants, “if thou be a man given to appetite.” The situation of a courtier is very critical. (Haydock) — Those who eat with the kings of Persia, were nicely observed by an eunuch, lest they should cast their eyes on any of his concubines. (Lucian. de Merced.)

Proverbs 23:3

Deceit. Poison. He wishes to discover thy secret.

Proverbs 23:4

Prudence. Be more solicitous for this, than to acquire riches. (Calmet) — Yet this wisdom must be sober, Romans xii. 3., and 1 Timothy vi. 9. Septuagint, “being poor, do not stretch forth thyself to the rich, but prudently retire,[”] ver. 2. (Haydock)

Proverbs 23:5

Riches. Septuagint, “to him, the rich man, he no where appears. He has prepared,” &c. (Haydock) — Like. Hebrew, “as the eagle, it will fly,” &c. (Haydock) — We must therefore fix our hearts on more durable goods.

Proverbs 23:6

Man. Hebrew, “eat not bread of an evil eye,” the envious, or rather the sordid miser.

Proverbs 23:7

Like. Protestants, “as he thinketh is his heart, so is he: eat,” &c. (Haydock) — He is still convinced that his guests will ruin him: or “like one guarding, or trembling for his soul.” Septuagint, “swallowing a hair, he saith,” &c. He is afraid of expense, and would allow himself as little as possible. — Diviner. Such endeavour to speak what may come to pass, but are full of anxiety; so the miser’s words are contrary to his real sentiments, (Calmet) as the diviner knows that he is imposing on mankind. (Haydock)

Proverbs 23:8

Words. Thou wilt be disgusted, and repine, Ecclesiasticus xxxi. 25.

Proverbs 23:10

Ones. Hebrew and Septuagint, “ancient boundaries.”

Proverbs 23:11

Kinsman. Hebrew Gaal, “tutor, defendant, or redeemer,” the Lord (Haydock) himself, Leviticus xxv. 25.

Proverbs 23:16

Reins. Inmost affections.

Proverbs 23:18

Thou. Protestants, “surely there is an end.” Marginal note, “reward.” (Haydock) — The testimony of a good conscience affords the greatest comfort in death. Septuagint, “if thou observe these things, thou shalt have posterity.” Hebrew, “hopes.”

Proverbs 23:20

Eat. Such feasts tend to corrupt the morals, and to misspend time.

Proverbs 23:21

Rags. At death the insolent shall be exposed to shame.

Proverbs 23:23

Sell. Acquire as much wisdom as possible, and keep it with care. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “do not drive wisdom from thee.”

Proverbs 23:27

Pit. It is difficult to overcome this passion, when once it has got possession of the heart. We must therefore watch over it, and consecrate it in variably to wisdom, ver. 26.

Proverbs 23:28

Him. Protestants, “increaseth the transgressors among men,” (Haydock) and like a harpy, kills all whom she can entrap.

Proverbs 23:29

CHAPTER XXIII.

Whose father. St. Jerome has read ab avi, instead of abo, (Calmet) which is an interjection, (Bochart) alas! or it means, “trouble.” Septuagint, “drunkenness,” (Chaldean; Calmet) or “sorrow.” (Protestants) — Falls. Septuagint, “hath sorrows.” Hebrew, “babbling,” (Protestants; Haydock) or discontents of mind. (Calmet) — Cause. Drunkards often fall upon their best friends, as Alexander did on Clytus. (Menochius)

Proverbs 23:31

Yellow. Or bright, as it is said there is only one red wine in Palestine. — Pleasantly. Hebrew, “it goeth right,” and is excellent. (Calmet)

Proverbs 23:32

Basilisk, . Hebrew Tsiphoni, (Haydock) as asp. (Cerastes, &c.) (Psalm xc. 13.)

Proverbs 23:33

Women. Wine excites to lust. (Calmet) See chap. xx. 1. — Shall. Septuagint, “shall these.” (Haydock)

Proverbs 23:34

When. Septuagint, “in a great wave.” Never is reason more wanted, nor less able to perform her duty.

Proverbs 23:35

Drew. Chaldean, “plundered.” Septuagint, “mocked at me.” — Again. This is the woeful effect of drunkenness, that men are not deterred from it, though they be sensible of its dreadful consequences. (Menochius)