Chapter XXVII
Ver. 1-27. 1. Do not confide Implicitly In your plans
(ch. 16. 9 ; 19. 21 ; James 4. 13-15). 3. Avoid self-praise. 3. The literal sense of heavy, applied to material subjects, illustrates its figurative, grievous, applied to moral, a fool's wrath—Is unreasonable and excessive. 4. envy—
lead your friend to liate you. 18. A false witness Is as destructive to reputation, as such weapons to the body (ch.24. 28). beareth . . . witness lit., answereth questions, as before a judge, against his neighbour. 19. Treachery annoys as well as deceives. 30. Not only is the incongruity of songs [i. e., joyful) and sadness meant, but an accession of sadness, by want of sj'mpathy, Is implied. 21, 33. (Cf. Matthew 5. 44; Romans 12. 20.) As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so Is the heart softened by kindness. 33. Better, "As the north wind hrlngeth forth (Psalm 90. 2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger." 34. (Cf. ch. 21. 9, 19). 35. (Cf. t>. 13.) good news—j. e., of some loved interest or absent friend, the more grateful as coming from alar. 3C.. From troubled fountains and corrupt springs no healtliy water is to be had, so when the righteous are oppressed by the wicked, their power for good is lessened or destroyed. 37. Satiety surfeits (v. 16), so men who are self-glorious find shame. Is not glory-
or, jealousy (cf. Margin; ch. 6. 34), is more unappeasable than the simpler bad passions. 5, 6. love—not manifested in acts Is useless; and even, if its exhibition by rebukes wounds ns, such love is preferable to the frequent (cf. Margin), and hence deceitful, kisses of an enemy. 7. The luxury of wealth confers less happiness than the healthy appetite of labour. 8. Such are not oniy out of place, but out of duty and In danger. 9. rejoice the heart—the organ of perceiving what pleases the senses, sweetness
. . . counsel—or, wise counsel Is also pleasing. 10. Adhere to tried friends. The ties of blood may be less reliable than those of genuine friendship. 11. The wisdom of children both reflects credit on parents and contributes
to their aid in difHcultles. 13, 13. (Cf. ch. 20. 16; 22. 3). 14. Excessive zeal in praising raises suspicions of selfishness.
15. (Cf. ch. 19. 13.) very . . . day—lit., a day of showers. 10. hideth or. restrains (i. e., tries to do It), is as fruitless an effort, as that of holding the -wind, tlie ointment . . . right liaml-the organ of power (Psalm 17. 7 ; 18. 85). His
not is supplied from the first clause, or is grievous, In which sense a similar word Is csed (ch. 27. 2). 38. Suoli are ex400
right hand endeavours to repress perfume, but vainly. Some prefer: " His right hand comes on oil, ». e., cannot
E.ASTEltX LETTER-CARRIER.
Maxims md Ohxcrvations PROVERL:^ XXVIII—XXX. of Solomon,
taki? holil." .Such a woman cannot be tamed. 17. a man
(Cf. ch. 11. 24-20.) hideth his eyes—as the face (Psalm 27
9; 69. 17), denotes inattention. 38. The elevation of the wicked to power drives men to seek refuge from tyranny
sliarp«n<-tli . . . friend— i. e., conversation promotes in-
lolligfnce, wliich the face exhibits. 18. Diligence secures a reward, even lor tlie humble servant. 19. We may see our chara(^ters in the developed tempers of otliers. ao. Men's cupidity is a.s insatiable as the grave. 31. Praise
(cf. V. 12; ch. 11. 10; Psalm 12. 8).