Fall. Human respects will not long preserve him from sin. (Calmet) --- Septuagint have a double version: "Those who fear and are ashamed of men, shall be thrown down. But he who confideth in the Lord, shall rejoice. Impiety overturneth man, while he who trusteth in the Lord shall be saved." (Grabe) (Haydock) CHAPTER XXIX. Gatherer, &c., or, as it is in the Latin, Congregans, the son of Vomens. The Latin interpreter has given us in this place the signification of the Hebrew names, instead of the names themselves, which are in the Hebrew, Agur, the son of Jakeh. But whether this Agur be the same person as Solomon, as many think, or a different person, whose doctrine was adopted by Solomon, and inserted among his parables or proverbs, is uncertain. (Challoner) --- Vomiter may denote David, who delivered many excellent canticles; Eructavit cor, Psalm xliv. De Dieu translates, "The words of him who is recollected the son of obedience." The author styles himself foolish, and asks for neither beggary nor riches, (ver. 2, 8.) which seems not to agree with Solomon; though there can be no doubt but this chapter is inspired. (Calmet) --- In effect, that great king might form this petition, being mindful of the instability of human greatness, and confess that of himself he was foolish. --- Vision. Hebrew massa (Haydock) generally implies something disagreeable, but here it is put for a collection of moral sentences. --- With, &c. Hebrew also, "to Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal," (Protestants; Haydock) friends of Agur, (Calmet) or his children, (Menochius) or rather Solomon speaks to all the faithful. We never find Agur mentioned as a canonical writer; and if he were, he would have been placed after Solomon. (Worthington) With me. He speaks of what he could claim of his own, abstracting from the prophetic light. (Calmet) --- In his humility, he supposeth that others are more perfect. The wisest know best their own defects. (Worthington) Descended. How then could I acquire such a sublime science? (Deuteronomy xxx. 11.) (Calmet) --- Christ alone could impart it, (John iii. 13.; Haydock) who is the perfect wisdom. (Worthington) --- Hands. Septuagint, "breast." (Haydock) --- It is no less difficult to fathom the designs of Providence. Some understand the "spirit" of prophecy to be here meant. --- Son. Septuagint, "children." But many Greek copies, and all the interpreters, have Son, which the Fathers explain of the second person of the blessed Trinity, specified [in] chap. viii. 22. (Calmet) Is fire-tried; that is, most pure, like gold purified by fire. (Challoner) (Psalm xvii. 31., and Jeremias xxiii. 29.) --- It cannot deceive. And not any thing contrary, Deuteronomy iv. 2., and xii. 32. --- Liar. Our Saviour condemned the false explanations of the Pharisees, as his Church does those of all heretics. Words, which are so opposite to thine, ver. 5. --- Riches. The former often prompts men to deceive, the latter to grow proud and forget God. Accuse. Septuagint, "deliver not" to an idolater, Deuteronomy xxiii. 15. (Rabbins) --- Servant. Add not to his affliction. (Worthington) --- We must suppose that the accusation is frivolous or false. (Lyranus) --- A servant may do a person much injury: but this ought not to deter the other from performing what justice and charity require. The horse-leech: concupiscence, which hath two daughters that are never satisfied, viz., lust and avarice. (Challoner) Womb. Septuagint, "the love of a woman," (Haydock) a harlot, or rather Hebrew, "a barren woman." --- Enough. The more fuel, the brighter the flame. These four similitudes may denote cruelty, lust, avarice, and prodigality; (Calmet) or the first and last may be understood (Haydock) of envy and ambition. (Worthington) Labour. Septuagint, &c., "old age." Hebrew, "the obedience or admonition." Those who curse their parents, were sentenced to death, Leviticus xx. 6. Youth. Hebrew, "a virgin." The "conception of a mighty man (the Messias; Haydock) in a virgin," is fitly compared to the flight of an eagle in the air, which leaves no trace behind, and is the most difficult to comprehend. See Jeremias xxxi. 22.; Univ. Hist. iii. p. 144, note. Isaiah vii. 14.; Parkhurst in alm. (Haydock) --- Some of the Jews have admitted this explanation. (Cornelius a Lapide) --- Others understand that the marks of virginity are equivocal; (Bossuet, &c.) or, if we stick to the Vulgate and Septuagint, the difference betwixt a child and a young man is extremely great, and almost incomprehensible. (Calmet) --- Young people who follow their carnal appetite, can no more give an account of their actions than of the course of an eagle, &c. (Worthington) --- His wanderings are manifold. The Hebrew seems to contain a prophecy of Christ's conception. Mistress, and is married to her master. She will generally prove insolent; like slaves on the throne, Regnabit sanguine multo ad regnum quisquis venit ab exilio. (Suetonius, Tib. 59.) (Calmet) CHAPTER XXX. Bands, like an army. When one rises or falls, all do the like. They are so numerous in the East, as to darken the sun and spread destruction, Joel i., and ii. (Calmet) The stellio. A kind of house lizard, marked with spots like stars, from whence it has its name. (Challoner) --- Hebrew semamith. (Haydock) --- It probably provides food against the stormy season, like ants. (Bochart) (Calmet) --- Others understand "the spider," (Kimchi) or "monkey." (Vatable, &c.) Meeteth. If he retreat, he looks back with disdain, till the woods conceal the turpitude of his flight. (Pliny, [Natural History?] viii. 16.) Loins. It rules, and is even terrible to lions. (Pliny x. 21.) --- The terms of the original are found nowhere else, and some understand the horse, the bee, and a soldier in arms. (Calmet) --- Whom. Hebrew, "and Alkum with him." (Montanus) --- But we know no animal or king of this name;; and it may imply, "in the midst of his court," or "assembly." (Chaldean) Some Latin copies read, Et Rex, nec est qui resistat ei, (Sixtus V.) which is more conformable to the Hebrew, (Calmet) and is here translated, though the Vulgate read, Nec est rex qui, &c. These four emblems (Haydock) denote fortitude, chastity, order, and justice. Mouth. Fools ought not to govern. (Worthington) --- Many might have been deemed wise, if they had continued in a lower station. (Calmet) --- Hebrew, "If thou hast acted foolishly in raising thyself, and if thou hast entertained evil thoughts, put thy hand to thy mouth." (Haydock) --- Chaldean, "put not thy," &c. Give not way to pride, or to insolent language. (Calmet) And. Hebrew, "For he who presseth milk." (Calmet) --- Protestants, "Surely the churning of milk bringeth for butter," &c. (Haydock) --- Strife. Moderation is necessary, (Calmet) in all actions. (Worthington) Lamuel. This name signifies, God with him; and is supposed to be one of the names of Solomon. (Challoner) --- Grotius would explain it of Ezechias. But why should we abandon the tradition of both Jews and Christians? --- Mother; Bethsabee, who it seems was inspired, unless she received these maxims from Nathan. Solomon always speaks of her with the utmost respect, as a prudent mother may have the greatest influence over the tender minds of her children, chap. i. 8., and xxiii. 25. Vows. She seems unable to express her concern for him when he first mounted the throne, and shewed her the greatest reverence, 3 Kings ii. 19. Women. This would destroy thy health, and tend to impoverish the kingdom. --- Kings, by injustice and ambition. (Calmet) Give. Septuagint, "Do all with counsel. By advice drink wine. Lords are inclined to anger; let them not drink wine." (Haydock) --- Solomon took this advice, Ecclesiastes ii. 3. Poor. Solon condemned to death, at Athens, the prince who should get drunk; and the Areopagites excluded from their assembly a judge who had dined in a tavern. (Laertius 1.; Atheneus xiii. 2.) Drink. Hebrew shecar, particularly palm-wine. --- Are sad. Hebrew, "perish," being sentenced to die; (Mark xv. 23., and Amos ii. 8.) or, who grieve and mourn for one deceased. On such occasions no food was prepared in the house, but the friends supplied what was necessary, and went to eat and drink with the afflicted, Ecclesiastes vii. 3. More. Not that intoxication is permitted even to them. Pass through life, or the country. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "Open thy mouth and judge righteously. Render justice to the poor and weak." (Haydock) --- Doctrine is best received by those who are more ready to hear than to speak. (Worthington) Who. The following verses are in alphabetical order. They contain a grand eulogy of Bethsabee, who repented, or of a perfect matron. (Calmet) --- Such are rare, though they may be found. (Worthington) --- Valiant; industrious. --- Price. Formerly people bought their wives. (Calmet) --- Is. Hebrew, "is far above riches (Protestants; Haydock) or pearls," Lamentations iv. 7. Spoils, taken in war. His wife will supply all necessaries, ver. 21. Hands, with skill and industry, (Calmet) or "willingness." (Hebrew) (Menochius) --- Ladies of the highest quality formerly employed themselves in this manner, like Penelope. Alexander, Augustus, and Charlemagne wore garments, which their sisters or wives had wrought. (Curtius 5.) (Suetonius 64.) (Eginhard.) Bread; all that is used for meat and drink. Septuagint, "riches." Grabe, "livelihood:" Greek: Bion. (Haydock) Night, or early in the morning, as soon as the night was over; de nocte. Hebrew, "while it is yet night." (Haydock) --- Extreme vigilance is required of those who direct others. "The master must be first up, and last in bed." (Cato v.) Considered. This conduct is suggested by prudence. (Calmet) --- Cato (Rust. 2.) says, "Do not go only once round the field," &c. Arm; working, and making others obey. Night, during a great part of which she will work. Strong things, "becoming" (Septuagint) her station. (Calmet) --- Spindle. She purposes and begins well, trusting in God for perfection and a reward. (Worthington) Domestics. Hebrew, "house is clothed in purple," which may be understood of the domestics, though it seems more probably to refer to her husband and children. Tapestry, for the beds and floor. --- Linens, or cotton; byssus, Exodus xxv. 4. Gates. Chaldean, "provinces." The rich were chosen for judges. (Calmet) The Chanaanite, the merchant; for Chanaanite, in Hebrew, signifies a merchant. (Challoner) --- The Ph\'9cnicians travelled into all countries. Traffic was not then deemed a discredit, even to kings. --- Girdles were worn both by men and women, and were very costly, insomuch that (Calmet) the kings of Persia assigned cities to furnish their wives with them. (Atheneus i. in Antylla.) --- They who practise and teach the law may be said to buy and sell. (Worthington) Clothing: it is very beautiful, or wisdom and virtue surround her. --- Day. She fears not death, (Calmet) or future distress of hunger, &c. (Jansenius) Tongue. She is ever bent on doing good. (Haydock) --- Very different from many of her sex, who are taken up with vanity and complaints. (Calmet) Idle, out of a sense of duty, and not though avarice. Her. They were best able to judge of her merit. Lord. Hitherto natural qualifications appear: but to these the Christian matron must add sincere piety: and thus Solomon completes the character of his mother, (Calmet) who had given him such excellent instructions, or of any accomplished woman. Outward beauty soon (Haydock) decays; but the fear of God is more deserving of praise. (Worthington) Gates, before all the judges (Haydock) and people. (Menochius) --- Good works shall be rewarded at God's tribunal, (Worthington) when the vain worldly beauty shall be covered with confusion. (Haydock) --- This idea of a perfect woman is best verified in the Catholic Church, (St. Augustine; Ven. Bede) though the blessed Virgin [Mary], &c., may also be designated. (Worthington) --- The use of the alphabet herein denotes, that we must begin with a moral good life, if we would penetrate the greater mysteries of the Scriptures. (St. Jerome) (Lam.[Lamentations?])