Pride. We are naturally prone to it, and the friendship and manners of the proud will increase it. (Calmet) --- If, therefore, the rich be not virtuous, it is dangerous to keep their company, (Worthington) both for this and the next world.

Verse 3

Kettle. Made of iron. It will presently be broken. So the poor must suffer, if they marry, or have society with those who are much above their rank. (Calmet)

Verse 7

Thou? Distrust those who promise much. (Calmet) --- Spem pretio non emo. (Tertullian)

Verse 8

Drawn. Literally, "exhaust." (Haydock) --- He will feast thee, while he wants thy service, or he will come to dine with thee, and thus reduce thee to distress, Proverbs xxiii. 1. (Calmet)

Verse 10

Humbled. By foolishly attempting to rival the sumptuous feasts of the great. Ver. 9., and 11., are not in the Greek. (Haydock)

Verse 11

Wisdom. Depend not on others' bounty. (Menochius) --- When the cause of God is at stake, be firm, like St. Paul. (Calmet) --- Pusillanimity in a superior might cause him to neglect his duty. (Worthington)

Verse 14

Concerning, &c., is not expressed in Greek. (Haydock) --- If a person be so weak as to disclose his secret to a great man, he will never be trusted by him. (Calmet)

Verse 17

Awake. Be cautious even in sleep, if possible; or seem not to hear what passes at court. (Calmet)

Verse 18

CHAPTER XIII.

Verse 19

Himself. Similarity of manners and of condition is favourable to friendship. (Calmet) --- The good and bad cannot be friends, their manners are so different. (Cicero)

Verse 21

Lamb. Christ has taught people of different tempers to embrace the faith, which shows his admirable power, Isaias xi. 6.

Verse 25

Away. Psalm lxi. 4. (Calmet) --- "It is human to push those who are falling." (Cicero, pro Rabir.)

Verse 26

Helpers. Who prevent his ruin, (Calmet) and turn his words to good sense. (Menochius) --- Proud. Greek, "what should not be disclosed," Greek: aporreta. (Haydock) (Calmet) --- Their "fault increases, being fed by applause." (St. Gregory, Mor. iv. 29.)

Verse 28

Clouds. People suppose that the rich must possess genius. (Horace, ii. Sat. iii.) --- "Every one honours the rich." (Theog.) (Calmet) --- Exception of persons hinders many good counsels, and promotes evil. (Worthington)

Verse 30

Ungodly. The abuse of riches is alone blameable. All things are clean for the clean, while the wicked perverts every advantage.

Verse 31

Evil. Sorrow will manifest itself. (Calmet) --- Imago animi vultus. (Cicero, Decorat. iii.)

Verse 32