Proverbs 17

haustible spring, gives perpetual comfort and satisfaction to hiin in whom it is; and makes him very useful unto others: but the learning of fools is frivolous and vain; rind therefore, if they undertake to instruct others, they only make them like themselves. ARGUMENT/ In the first verse of this chapter, the wise man observes how happy that family is which lives in peace and perfect agreement one with another; though they have but a mean estate. And next to this how happy a thing it is if there be but one wise and virtuous man in a family (suppose he be but a servant) when any dissensions and differences arise in it. For so the Lord Bacon (Advanc. of Learning, book viii. chap. 2. parab. 2.) expounds the’ [a] second.versc; whose’ words I will set down, because, if they hit not the sense completely, yet they very pithily express a part of it, and carry in them a very important truth. " In all troubled and disagreeing families (saith, he) there is commonly some servant or gentle friend, who, being powerful with both sides, may moderate and compose the differences that arc among them. To whom, in that respect, the whole house, and the master himself, aro much engaged and beholden. This servant, if he aim only at his own ends, cherishes and aggravates the divisions of the family: but if he be sincerely faithful and upright, certainly he descrveth much; so as to be reckoned as one of the brethren; or at least to receive a fiduciary administration of the inheritance." [b] And after some other documents, there follows a notable rule for the making peace, and ending all differences; whether between particular persons in families, or between kingdoms: (ver. 9.) upon which the same great person thus glosses, (ib. parab. 27.) " There are two ways of proceeding to arbitrate differences and reconcile affections. The one begins with an act of oblivion of what is past; the other begins with a repetition of wrongs, subjoining apologies and excuses. Now some think this last to be the only way; insomuch, that I have heard a prudent person and great statesman lay down this maxim: He that treats of peace, without a recapitulation of tho terms of difference, rather deceives men’s minds with tho sweet name of agreement, than composes them by, equity and moderation of right. But Solomon, a wiser man than he, is of a contrary opinion;.approving an act, of oblivion, and forbidding repctitipn. For in repetition, or renewing the memory of the causes of difference, there are these inconveniences: not only that it is, as we say, unguis in ulcere, raking in the ulcer, which very much exasperates, but also endangers the breeding of new quarrels while they are debating the old (for the parties at difference will never accord about the terms of their falling out); and lastly, in the issue it brings the matter to apologies: whereas both the one and the other party would seem rather to have remitted the offence, than to have admitted excuses for it." Melancthon thiuks this and the three next verses, 10—12. to be sentences near of kin; all belonging to the right method in judging, which is comprehended in that saying of Christ’s, If thy brother sin against thee, tell him of it between thyself’and him: and interprets this ninth verse thus (taking Aluph for a prince, which we translate chief friends): He that orderly admonishes him that erreth, cures him, and makes no public di&turbance; saves the man, and preserves public concord: but this order being neglected, thence arises out of brawlings, ■ discords of princes, wars, and devastations. [c] Now an evil man only seeks scoldings or contentions; (as it follows, yer. 11.) i.e. saith he, he doth not seek truth nor the good of the church, but troubles without end. Thus Cleon and Alcibiades in the state, scattered seeds of war at Athens: the cynics and academics contradicted every body among the philosophers: and lately, Valla, Cornelius Agrippa, Carolostadius, &c. had the like scolding natures. They seek not truth; but contradict things rightly spoken, or wantonly move unnecessary disputes, and will not yield when they are admonished, but with greater rage defend their errors. Of fcuch Solomon here saith in the next verse, it is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool in his folly. An example of which we meet withal, when we meet with a bewitched papist, who defends the most manifest errors. Thus he. But that which the Vulgar translates semper jurgia queerit malus, and we translate, an evil man seeks only rebellion, the most and the best interpreters take the other way; as the words lie more naturally in the Hebrew, a man very rebellious seeks nothing but mischief: which sense I have expressed in the Paraphrase, together with the other. - Id] The truth of the next verse (ver. 12.) is admirably opened by Bochartus, (lib. iii. de Animal. Sacris, cap. 9. par. i.) who observes four things concerning the bear, out of good authors. The first every one knows, that a bear is an exceeding fierce creature: the second is, that the female is more fierce than the male: the third, that she is more fierce than ordinary, when she hath whelps: and lastly, that when she is robbed of them she is fiercest of all, immanem in modum, even unto rage and madness. Which the Scripture takes notice of in two other places besides this, 2 Sam. xvii. 8. Hoseaxii. 8. where St. Jerome observes that the writers of natural history say, among all wild beasts, none more fierce and cruel than the bear, in two cases especially, when she wants food, and when she is robbed of her whelps. The reason of this last is there given by ^Kimchi; which well enough agrees with the comparison which the wise man here makes: for a bear cannot be more in love with her whelps, than a fool is with his absurd opinions and resolutions: and as a bear falls upon the next person she meets withal, taking him for the robber; so doth a fool upon * every one that stands in his way* though he be never so much obliged to him. He spares none in the heat of his passions, but furiously abuseth them, &c". [e] Unto what is expressed in the Paraphrase upon ver. 17. concerning a brother being born for adversity (which 1 have referred, as the best interpreters do, unto a friend), this may be added, as the plainest translation of the Hebrew words; A true friend (spoken of before) is born (that is, becomes) a brother in adversity. He was a friend before; this makes him a brother; and so he is to be esteemed. [f] There is a phrase in the nineteenth verse, exalteth his gate, which is variously taken by interpreters. I have expounded it literally; not for the mouth, but for the gate of a house or other place; and have put two senses together. [jO Various glosses also have been made upon the beginning of ver. 22. a merry heart doth good like a medicine: where, because the particle like is wanting in the Hebrew, other constructions have been made of the words; some, for instance, having taken them thus; a merry heart makes a medicine work better, or do more good. But he that can consult Bochartus (in his second book of Sacred Animals, chap.lG. par. ii.) may find so many examples of the effect of that which they call ]V12F) pD caph similitudinis; that he will not think it unreasonable to supply it (as our translators have done) in this place of the Proverbs. In the twenty-fourth verse I have put two senses, in which the words may be taken, into one. And that none may wonder at the repetition of the [ft] same thing in the twenty-fifth verse, which was said just before in the twenty-first, I shall here observe,’ that there is no doubt but Solomon, having frequent occasions to speak of the same matter, varied the words sometimes, but not the sense; and so the collectors of his sayings put down b.oth. And he might speak the bilener of this matter, having an example before bis eyes of the great weakness of his own son: who, it is not unlikely, was a perpetual grief to him. There is also something observable in this verse, which was not in the other; viz. that the unto-’ wardness of children have many times different effects upon the parents: provoking the fathers to anger and exasperation; and the mothers to grief and sorrow, to which their tenderness more inclines them than to the other passion. There are several ways also of expounding the latter end of the next verse, (ver. 26.) I have expressed the sense of our translation; and had respect, in the next verse to that, (ver. 27) to both readings of the word which we render excellent. among the brethren.’] Probity and prudence are so much better than mere riches and noble birth, that a wise and faithful servant sometimes arrives at the honour of being appointed the governor of a son, whose folly and ^s ^ ickedness make him a discredit to his family: nay, he is left iiot only executor of the father’s will, or trustee for the children; but his merits, perhaps, are rewarded with a portion of the estate, which is to be distributed among them. See Arg. [a] and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.’] He is very inconsiderate, whose kindness makes him forward to pass his word for the payment of another man’s debts, (vi. 1. xi. 15.) and especially to enter into bonds in the presence of his neighbour for whom he engages: which may make him more carelessabout the payment than he would have been, if unknown to him he had been security for him. -Ver. 19. He loveth transgression that loveth strife; and he* that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.] He vainly pretends to the love of piety, who accustoms himself to brawling and contention: which as necessarily draw along with, them abundance of sins, as lifting up a man’s self above his estate, in raising sumptuous buildings, brings him to ruin: or as breach of the public peace opens wide the flood-gates to all iniquity. See Arg. [f]

Proverbs 17:1

JlSeTTER is a dry morsel, and quietness there with, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.* There is more satisfaction in a bit of dry bread (without butter or oil,&c.) in the open field, and love and concord therewith; than in a house full of the best cheer in the world, attended with brawling, contention, and strife.

Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant shall have ride over a son that caaseth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance

Proverbs 17:3

The fining -pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. The art of man hath found out means to prove whether gold and silver be pure or not; but nono can search into the secret thoughts, designs, and inclinations of men’s souls, but the Lord: who (as those metals arc tried by fire) many times proves and discovers what they are by sharp afflictions and troubles.

Proverbs 17:4

Aivicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. A man that designs evil unto others, hearkens greedily to him that will tell false and mischievous stories; and there never wants such a man, of (he very same mind with himself; for he who gives his mind to lying and falsehood, listens to him that speaks the most pestilent things.

Proverbs 17:5

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. He that derides a man because he is poor, forgets God, who can bring him down to as low a condition: nay, affronts his majesty, Avho hath promised to take a peculiar care of such friendless persons: nor is he much better, who rej’oiceth at the calamity of others, which will bring unavoidable punishments upon himself.

Proverbs 17:6

Children s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.* The honour and comfort of parents lie in a numerous progeny, which doth not degenerate from their ancestors’ virtue: and that which makes children illustrious, is their being descended from worthy parents; whose wisdom and virtue reflect an honour upon their posterity.

Proverbs 17:7

Excellent speech becometh not a fool; much less do lying lips a prince. It doth not become a fool to discourse of grave and weighty matters; which as they are above him, so are not regarded out of his mouth, though he should speak excellent things; but it is much less seemly for a prince to lie and deceive; which as it is below him who represents the God of truth, so it makes him despicable, and destroys his authority, when his subjects cannot rely upon his word. Ver; 8. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; zuhithersoever it turneth it prosperetlu] A gift is so tempting, that it can no more be refused, than a" lovely jewel by him to whom.it is presented; and such is its power, it commonly prevails over all men, dispatches all business, carries all causes; and, in a word, effects whatsoever a man desires.

Proverbs 17:9

He that covereth a transgression sceketh love: but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. He that passes by and buries in oblivion a transgression that hath been committed against him,. takes the best course to preserve friendship, and to make himself universally beloved; but he who rakes up that fault again, and objects it afresh when it was forgotten, breaks the strictest bands of amity, and makes an irreconcilable separation. See Arg. [6]

Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool. One reproof penetrates deeper into the mind of an ingenuous man, and works a greater alteration there, than a hundred stripes will do for the amendment of an obstinate fool.

Proverbs 17:11

An evil man seeketh only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Who seeking nothing but to have his own will, and being so refractory, that he hath shaken ofF all reverence to God, or to his governors, is wholly bent upon mischief, and cannot be reclaimed; it remains therefore only, that a severe execution be done upon him, to cut him off in his folly, without mercy. Sec Arg. [c]

Proverbs 17:12

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. There. is less danger in meeting a bear in the height of her rage, than a furious fool in the pursuit of his unruly passions and desires: for it is possible to defend a man’s self against the one; but there is no way to hinder the brutish motions of the other. See Arg. [c]

Proverbs 17:13

Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. It is so unnatural for a man to return evil to him from whom he hath received nothing but good, that the punishment of his ingratitude shall not rest in his own person, but descend upon his posterity to all generations.

Proverbs 17:14

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. When men begin a quarrel or a difference, they know not where it will end: for the very first breach is like cutting the banks of a river, which presently oyerflows the neighbouring grounds, but cannot easily be reduced into its bounds again. It is best therefore to make peace immediately, before both parties be involved in such troubles, as, like a deluge of water, lay all^desolate. •

Proverbs 17:15

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. It is hard to say, which is most detestable to the Lord, he that pleads for a wicked man, and, more than that, acquits him; or he that pleads against the righteous, nay, plainly condemns him. Certain it is, they are both most highly obnoxious to his displeasure, who is the fountain of justice; and as he would have it exactly administered, so he hates those who endeavour to confound the nature of good and evil among men. Ver. 1G. Wlierefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get tvisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?] What good doth a great estate in the possession of a fool? Can he therewith purchase wisdom how to use it? alas! he wants understanding to desire it, and to procure good instructors, in which his riches (if his mind were good) might be serviceable to him.

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Time makes proof of a friend; who, if he be sincere, loves not merely for a fit, nor alters with the “change of one’s condition; but continues steadfast in adversity, as well as in prosperity: nay, in straits and distresses, shews himself inoro like a brother than a friend. See Arg. [e] *

Proverbs 17:18

A man void of understanding striketh hands,

Proverbs 17:20

He that hath afroward heart findeth no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. A man of wicked designs, which he resolves to accomplish by any sort of means, shall find himself deceived in his expectation: and he who employs his tongue to deceit and fraud/ pretending: fair to men before their face, but slandering them behind their back, shall, by that very means, bring mischief upon himself. Ver: 21. He that begettethafool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of’ a fool hath no joy.] Great is the care which ought to be taken in the contract of marriage, and in tha education of children: for if a son prove vicious and lewd, it will be such an inexpressible grief to his. father, that he will take no comfort at all in any things he enjoys, (ver. 25.) Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.’] There may be specious pretences for it; but it is against all honesty and piety to punish inno- YOL. III. cent persons together with delinquents: especially”) to scourge judges, and governors, for doing equal justice upon all offenders. /,

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieththe bones. And consequently it will shorten his days: for as nothing conduces more to health than a cheerful spirit, which serves instead of physic; so nothing destroys it more than sadness and grief, which consume the vital juices, and dry up the body to skin and bone. See Arg. [g]

Proverbs 17:23

The heart of the wise tcacheth his motith, and addeth learning to his lips. The mind of a wise man instructs him to speak judiciously and pertinently: and makes him not only communicate his thoughts to others, but with such weight of reason as increases their learning. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ivays of judgment.] No man would willingly-be known to be so wicked as to be bribed to do injustice: but there are too many that will suffer themselves to be secretly corrupted by presents, to give counsel or judgment contrary to the course of law and equity.

Proverbs 17:24

Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Especially when he can deliver his mind in pleasing and delightful words, flowing from him with a natural eloquence, as honey drops from the comb: which ravish the affections, and touch a man’s heart to the very quick; when he needs either comfort or cure fpr any inward disease wherewith he labours. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.] As a wise man’s understanding appears in his very countenance; and a fool is known by his garish and wondering eyes: so the one hath his wisdom always present and ready at hand to guide and govern him; when the other knows not what to follow, but his thoughts are roving up and down to no purpose, though he ramble to the very ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:25

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the ends thereof are the ways of death. But there is never more need of caution, than when we hear a moving orator; therefore this instruction may be here necessary to be repeated, (xiv. 12.) examine every thing strictly and impartially; and be not led away merely by thy fancy and thy appetite: for they make many things seem innocent, which, in themselves, and in the issue, arc deadly and destructive. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.] A foolish dissolute son, who regards not the counsel of his parents, wasting their estate, and disgracing their family, is such a vexation to his father, that he’ provokes his indignation; and such a grief to his mother, that it makes, her life bitter and irksome to her. See Arg. [h]

Proverbs 17:26

He that laboureth, laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of hint. It is a powerful motive to a man to take pains in an honest employment, that all his labour is for his own preservation; his mouth begging this favour of him, that he may not starve: and, on the contrary, hie that spends his time in giving trouble and vexation unto others, will find it fall upon himself; for he cannot speak so much as an evil word, but it will return upon him, and fly back in his own face. See Arg. [e] • • ■Ver. 27. An ungodly man diggeth up evil; and in his lips there is as a burning fire.] And it is not a little pains that an ungodly lawless man takes, to plot and devise mischief; wherein he labours, as if he was digging for a treasure; and one way is, to brand his neighbour with false reports and slanders, and thereby utterly destroy his reputation.

Proverbs 17:27

He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of an’ excellent spirit. The more any man* knows, the less he is apt to talk: for his wisdom gives him such an excellent composure of spirit, that it represses Tiis heat, his forwardness, and haste; and makes him coolly deliberate what, and when, it is fit-to speak. r

Proverbs 17:28

Afrowardman soweth strife; and a whisperer separateth chief friends. Others of them have such a perverseness in their spirit, that it is their business to disturb the world, and raise dissensions among those that would live in peace; by backbiting, detracting, and whispering false stories: making a breach even between princes and people, husband and wife, nay, the dearest friends and familiars, if they hearken to their tales. Even a fool when he holdeth his pectce is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.] Such a virtue it is to be silent, that he who understands nothing is deemed wise, as long as he holds his peace; and he whose mind hath such power over his mouth as to keep it shut, that nothing may suddenly and impetuously go out, is wise indeed.-.;.

A violent man enticethhis neighbour, andleadeth him into the way that is not good. Another sort live by rapine and open violence; who are not content to do wrong themselves, but persuade others to enter into their society; and then lead them into the most pernicious courses.

lie shutteth his eyes to devise froward things; moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. Whicji they do not fall into by chance; but with profound study contrive the ruin of others; and the sign being given, they furiously execute the mischief they have designed.

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if.it be found in the ivay of righteousness. .Old age is very venerable, when a man’s past life Jhath been truly virtuous and useful: which is the best way also to prolong one’s days; and bring one to that great honour which is due to those who have long done much good to mankind.

lie that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ndeth his spirit than he that taketh a city. He that can suppress the vehement motions of anger, deserves more praise than those mighty men who quell the enemies that oppose them: and he that hath power to govern all his own inclinations, affections," and passions, by reason, hath a nobler empire than he that subdues cities and countries by force of arms.

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole di$~ posing thereof is of the Lord. Acknowledge the Divine providence in all things, even in those which seem most casual: for though men cast the lots into the lap of a garment, or into a hollow vessel, and thence draw them out again; yet it is the Lord who directs entirely in what order they shall come forth, and so determines the matter in doubt according to his pleasure.