About the most satisfactory substitute for wisdom is silence. Discretion of speech is better than fluency of speech. Contentment. The wise servant. The Lord tries the heart. Children a crown to their parents. We should hide our neighbour’s faults. The poor should not be despised. Litigations and quarrels to be avoided. Wealth is useless to a fool. The good friend. A fool may pass for a wise man when he holds his peace. 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. Vs. 1: These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. Verse 1. Better is a dry morsel — Peace and contentment, and especially domestic peace, are beyond all other blessings. A house full of sacrifices — A Hindoo priest, who officiates at a festival, sometimes receives so many offeringss that his house is filled with them, so that many of them are damaged before they can be used. — Ward. 17:2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the bresren. vs. 2: The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts. vs. 3: God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer. The fining pot is for silver — When silver is mixed, or suspected to be mixed, with base metal, it must be subjected to such a test as the cupel to purify it. And gold also must be purified by the action of the fire. So God tries hearts. He sends afflictions which penetrate the soul, and give a man to see his state, so that he may apply to the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, to destroy what cannot stand the fire, to separate and burn up all the dross. 17:3 LXX On the fact that those men are more wretched who are possessed by sins than those who are possessed by devils But we know that even saintly men have been given over in the flesh to Satan and to great afflictions for some very slight faults, since the Divine mercy will not suffer the very least spot or stain to be found in them on the day of judgment, and purges away in this world every spot of their filth, as the prophet, or rather God Himself says, in order that He may commit them to eternity as gold or silver refined and needing no penal purification. “And,” says He, “I will clean purge away thy dross, and I will take away all thy tin; and after this thou shall be called the city of the just, a faithful city.” And again: “Like as silver and gold are tried in the furnace, so the Lord chooseth the hearts;” And again: “The fire tries gold and silver; but man is tried in the furnace of humiliation;” and this also: “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” (Isa. 1:25, 26; Prov. 17:3 LXX; Ecclus. 2:5; Heb. 12:6). St. John Cassian: Conference 7:25. 17:4 A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue. vs. 4: Flatterers, especially false teachers, are welcome to those that live in sin. A wicked doer giveth heed — An evil heart is disposed and ever ready to receive evil; and liars delight in lies. 17:5 Whoso mocks the poor reproachs his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. vs. 5: Those that laugh at poverty, treat God’s providence and precepts with contempt. He that is glad at calamity — He who is pleased to hear of the misfortune of another will, in the course of God’s just government, have his own multiplied. 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. vs. 6: It is an honor to children to have wise and godly parents continued to them, even after they are grown up and settled in the world. 17:6 It becomes us who truly follow the Scripture to enjoy ourselves temperately, as in Paradise. We must regard the woman’s crown to be her husband, and the husband’s crown to be marriage; and the flowers of marriage the children of both, which the divine husbandman plucks from meadows of flesh. “Children’s children are the crown of old men.” And the glory of children is their fathers, it is said; and our glory is the Father of all; and the crown of the whole church is Christ. St. Clement of Alexandria: Instructor 2:9. 17:6 LXX https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 17 2 THAT THE KNOWLEDGE OF TERRESTRIAL AND CELESTIAL THINGS DOES NOT GIVE HAPPINESS, BUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD ONLY. Doth, then, O Lord God of truth, whosoever knoweth those things therefore please Thee? For unhappy is the man who knoweth all those things, but knoweth Thee not; but happy is he who knoweth Thee, though these he may not know. But he who knoweth both Thee and them is not the happier on account of them, but is happy on account of Thee only, if knowing Thee he glorify Thee as God, and gives thanks, and becomes not vain in his thoughts. But as he is happier who knows how to possess a tree, and for the use thereof renders thanks to Thee, although he may not know how many cubits high it is, or how wide it spreads, than he that measures it and counts all its branches, and neither owns it nor knows or loves its Creator; so a just man, whose is the entire world of wealth, and who, as having nothing, yet possesseth all things by cleaving unto Thee, to whom all things are subservient, though he know not even the circles of the Great Bear, yet it is foolish to doubt but that he may verily be better than he who can measure the heavens, and number the stars, and weigh the elements, but is forgetful of Thee, “who hast set in order all things in number, weight, and measure.” St. Augustine: Confession, 5:4 (7). 17:6 LXX You have then that recompense of an hundredfold brought out by the greatness of the value, and the difference of the character that cannot be estimated. For if for a fixed weight of brass or iron or some still commoner metal, one had given in exchange the same weight only in gold, he would appear to have given much more than an hundredfold. And so when for the scorn of delights and earthly affections there is made a recompense of spiritual joy and the gladness of a most precious love, even if the actual amount be the same, yet it is an hundred times better and grander. And to make this plainer by frequent repetition: I used formerly to have a wife in the lustful passion of desire: I now have one in honorable sanctification and the true love of Christ. The woman is but one, but the value of the love has increased an hundredfold. But if instead of distrusting anger and wrath you have regard to constant gentleness and patience, instead of the stress of anxiety and trouble, peace and freedom from care, instead of the fruitless and criminal vexation of this world the salutary fruits of sorrow, instead of the vanity of temporal joy the richness of spiritual delights, you will see in the change of these feelings a recompense of an hundredfold. And if we compare with the short-lived and fleeting pleasure of each sin the benefits of the opposite virtues the increased delights will prove that these are an hundred times better. St. John Cassian: Conference 24:26. 17:7 Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. vs. 7: A fool, in Solomon’s Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellencies speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it. Excellent speech becometh not a fool — This proverb is suitable to those who affect, in public speaking, fine language, which neither comports with their ordinary conversation, nor with their education. Often fine words are injudiciously brought in, and are as unbecoming and irrelevant as a cart wheel among clockwork. 17:8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turns, it prospers. vs. 8: Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts! A gift is as a precious stone — It both enriches and ornaments. In the latter clause there is an evident allusion to cut stones. Whithersoever you turn them, they reflect the light, are brilliant and beautiful. 17:9 He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separats very friends. vs. 9: The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves. 17:10 A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. vs. 10: A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man. Verse 10. A reproof entereth more — Though the rod, judiciously applied, is a great instrument of knowledge, yet it is of no use where incurable dulness or want of intellect, prevails. Besides, there are generous dispositions on which counsel will work more than stripes. 17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. vs. 11: Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man. 17:12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 17 3 Verse 12. Let a bear robbed of her whelps — At which times such animals are peculiarly fierce. See the note on 2 Samuel 17:8. Let us watch over our own passions, and avoid the company of furious men. 17:13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. Here is a most awful warning. As many persons are guilty of the sin of ingratitude, and of paying kindness with unkindness, and good with evil, it is no wonder we find so much wretchedness among men; for God’s word cannot fail; evil shall not depart from the houses and families of such persons. To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family. 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letts out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. vs. 14: What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin. The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water As soon as the smallest breach is made in the dike or dam, the water begins to press from all parts towards the breach; the resistance becomes too great to be successfully opposed, so that dikes and all are speedily swept away. Such is the beginning of contentions, quarrels, lawsuits, etc. Leave off contention, before it be meddled with. — As you see what an altercation must lead to, therefore do not begin it. Before it be mingled together, [lgth hithgalla, before the spirits of the contending parties come into conflict-are joined together in battle, and begin to deal out mutual reflections and reproaches. When you see that the dispute is likely to take this turn, leave it off immediately. 17:14 Whence it is well said through Solomon, He that letteth out water is a well-spring of strifes (Proverbs 17:14). For to let out water is to let loose the tongue to a flux of speech. Wherefore, on the other hand, in a good sense it is said again, The words of a man’s mouth are as deep water (Ibid. 18:4). He therefore who letteth out water is the wellspring of strifes, because he who curbs not his tongue dissipates concord. Hence on the other hand it is written, He that imposes silence on a foal allays enmities (Ibid. 26:10). Moreover, that any one who gives himself to much speaking cannot keep the straight way of righteousness is testified by the Prophet, who says, A man full of words shall not be guided aright upon the earth (Psalm 139:12). Hence also Solomon says again, In the multitude of words there shall not want sin (Proverbs 10:19). Hence Isaiah says, The culture of righteousness is silence (Isaiah 32:17), indicating, to wit, that the righteousness of the mind is desolated when there is no stint of immoderate speaking. Fr. Gregory (the Great), Pastoral Rule, 14. 17:15 He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. vs. 15: It is an offense to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty. 17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? vs. 16: Man’s neglect of God’s favor and his own interest is very absurd. 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. vs. 17: No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfillment. A friend loveth at all times — Equally in adversity as in prosperity. And a brother, according to the ties and interests of consanguinity, is born to support and comfort a brother in distress. “And let us consider one another,” he says, “to provoke unto love and to good works.” He knew that this also arises from “gathering together.” For as “iron sharpeneth iron” (Proverbs 17:17), so also association increases love. For if a stone rubbed against a stone sends forth fire, how much more soul mingled with soul! St. John Chrysostom: Homilies on Hebrews, 19. 17:18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his friend. vs. 18: Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ’s becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond. Verse 18. Striketh hands — Striking each other’s hands, or shaking hands, was anciently the form in concluding a contract. See notes on chap. 6:1. 17:19 He loves transgression that loves strife: and he that exalts his gate seeks destruction. vs. 19: If we would keep a clear conscience and a quiet mind, we must shun all excitements to anger. And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 17 4 Verse 19. He that exalteth his gate — In different parts of Palestine they are obliged to have the doors of their courts and houses very low, not more than three feet high, to prevent the Arabs, who scarcely ever leave the backs of their horses, from riding into the courts and houses, and spoiling their goods. He, then, who, through pride and ostentation, made a high gate, exposed himself to destruction; and is said here to seek it, because he must know that this would be a necessary consequence of exalting his gate. But although the above is a fact, yet possibly gate is here taken for the mouth; and the exalting of the gate may mean proud boasting and arrogant speaking, such as has a tendency to kindle and maintain strife. And this interpretation seems to agree better with the scope of the context than the above. 17:20 He that hath a froward heart finds no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falls into mischief. vs. 20: There is nothing got by ill designs. And many have paid dear for an unbridled tongue. 17:21 He that begetts a fool does it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. vs. 21: This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child. 17:22 A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones. vs. 22: It is great mercy that God gives us leave to be cheerful, and cause to be cheerful, if by his grace he gives us hearts to be cheerful. Verse 22. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine — Instead of hhg gehah, a medicine, it appears that the Chaldee and Syriac had read in their copies hwg gevah, the body, as they translate in this way. This makes the apposition here more complete: “A merry heart doeth good to the body; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Nothing has such a direct tendency to ruin health and waste out life as grief, anxiety, fretfulness, bad tempers, etc. All these work death. 17:23 A wicked man takes a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. vs. 23: The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes. A gift out of the bosom — Out of his purse; as in their bosoms, above their girdles, the Asiatics carry their purses. I have often observed this. 17:24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. vs. 24: The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness. Verse 24. Are in the ends of the earth. — Wisdom is within the sight and reach at every man: but he whose desires are scattered abroad, who is always aiming at impossible things, or is of an unsteady disposition, is not likely to find it. 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. vs. 25: Wicked children despise the authority of their father, and the tenderness of their mother. 17:26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. Verse 26. Nor to strike princes for equity. — To fall out with the ruler of the people, and to take off his head under pretense of his not being a just or equitable governor, is unjust. To kill a king on the ground of justice is a most dreadful omen to any land. Where was it ever done, that it promoted the public prosperity? No experiment of this kind has ever yet succeeded, howsoever worthless the king might be. vs. 26: It is very wrong to find fault for doing what is duty. 17:27 He that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 17:27 He asks of wisdom, who seeks to know what is the will of God. And he will show himself prudent who is sparing of his words on that which he has come to learn. If one inquires about wisdom, desiring to learn something about wisdom, while another asks nothing of wisdom, as not only wishing to learn nothing about wisdom himself, but even keeping back his neighbors from so doing, the former certainly is deemed to be more prudent than the latter. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. vs. 27,28: A man may show himself to be a wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 17 5 Verse 28. Even a fool — He is counted wise as to that particular. He may know that he cannot speak well, and he has sense enough to keep from speaking. He is, as to that particular, a wise fool. A man may be golden-mouthed and silver-tongued in eloquence; but to know when and where to speak and to be silent, is better than diamonds. But who that thinks he can speak well can refrain from speaking? His tongue has no rest. 17:28 LXX It belongs to the understanding to discern the distinctions and the drift of questions; and it is a main part of knowledge to understand how ignorant you are. Wherefore it is said that “if a fool asks questions, it will be accounted wisdom” [28 LXX], because, although one who asks questions is ignorant of the answer to the question raised, yet as he wisely asks, and learns what he does not know, this very fact will be counted as wisdom in him, because he wisely discovers what he was ignorant of. St. John Cassian: Conference 4:9.
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