Better a dry crust with peace, a little with a clear conscience, than luxury acquired through wickedness. Sooner or later such wealth...
Better a dry crust with peace, a little with a clear conscience, than luxury acquired through wickedness. Sooner or later such wealth will collapse; but even if ruin is still far away, it is impossible to enjoy the fruits of such prosperity fully while constantly feeling anxious and surrounded by enemies and envious people.
Mocking a poor person is once again equated with blasphemy. The spiritual sphere cannot be separated from the social one, nor can social problems be treated as earthly and base. Some “pious” people consider works of mercy and charity unimportant in comparison with deep prayer. But will a prayer that shuns deeds be heard?
The words saying that whoever conceals an offense seeks love could, if one wished, be interpreted as advice to indulge evil; but here too what is said must be considered alongside other words of Scripture. The apostle would say the same when he noted that love “bears all things” (1 Cor 13:7). This is not about concealing evil, but about forgiveness: about not allowing the memory of past sins and offenses to turn our heart to stone or make us like Lot's wife, who looked back and therefore became a pillar of salt.
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17:4 False lips - To false accusations and calumnies, which give him occasion and encouragement to do mischief.
17:7 Excellent speech - Discourse of high and excellent things.
17:8 A precious stone - Pleasant and acceptable; and withal dazzles his eyes. Whithersoever - To whomsoever it is presented. But this, as also many of her proverbs, are to be understood of most men, not of all.
17:9 Covereth - That conceals as far as he may, other mens faults.
17:11 Rebellion - Against God. Messenger - Or, a cruel angel, the angel of death, the devil, or some bloody men employed by God to avenge his quarrel.
17:12 Folly - In the heat of his lust or passion.
17:14 Letteth out - By cutting the bank of a river. Leave off - Avoid the occasions, and prevent the beginning of contention.
17:16 A price - Opportunities and abilities of getting it.No heart - Neither discretion to discern the worth of wisdom, nor any sincere desire to get it.
17:17 Was born - Was sent into the world for this, that he might comfort and relieve his brother in adversity.
17:18 Friend - Debtor, for whom being his friend, he becomes surety.
17:20 No good - Shall not get that advantage which he expects.
17:22 Doth good - Even to the body; it contributes much to bodily health and vigour. Drieth - Wastes the marrow of the bones, and the moisture and strength of the body.
17:24 In the face - His wisdom appears even in his looks.The eyes - Minding most, those things which are remotest from him, and least concern him.
17:26 To strike - Nor to smite magistrates, either with the hand or tongue, for the execution of justice.