Pleased. Wisdom still speaks. Solomon often makes similar division, to make the deeper impression, Proverbs xxx. 15, 24.

Verse 4

Fool. Greek, "adulterer, devoid of sense," Isaias lxv. 20. (Calmet) --- Luxuria....senectuti fœdissima. (Cicero, off. i.)

Verse 5

Age? Wisdom, says Bias, "is more durable than other possessions." (Laertius)

Verse 9

Things. Greek, "nine suppositions I have blessed in my heart," (Haydock) or thought that they may confer felicity. But the tenth will certainly do it, chap. xiv.

Verse 10

Enemies. Not out of revenge, but for the glory of God. See Matthew v. 43.

Verse 12

A true. Greek, "prudence." (Calmet)

Verse 14

Things. Greek adds, "for light (15.) he that," &c. (Haydock)

Verse 16

It. This is not in the edition of Rome, or of Aldus: but it is in the rest. Fear commonly begins the work of salvation, and love perfects it, 1 Timothy i. 5. (Calmet) --- All happiness in this life is grounded on the fear of God. (Worthington)

Verse 17

Evil. Greek reads not this; but the Syriac does, omitting the two next verses. (Calmet) --- Heresy is described under the idea of a wicked woman, concealing her malice. (Worthington)

Verse 18

Choose. Literally, "see." (Haydock) --- Some supply "send any plague," &c.

Verse 21

Enemies. Which they wish, or may behold, chap. xviii. 31. (Calmet)

Verse 22

Head. Or poison, as the Hebrew rosh signifies both. (Rondet.)

Verse 23

Woman. Greek, "enemy." (Calmet) --- Revenge is the passion of little souls, and of women. (Juvenal xiii.) --- Dragon. This is not exaggerated, if we reflect on the evils occasioned by Eve, Dalila, Athalia, &c. (Calmet) --- "A woman is the greatest wild-beast." (Menander)

Verse 24

Sackcloth. And is black when passion bursts forth, though women too frequently conceal their anger to take deeper vengeance.

Verse 25

Groaned. Greek, "shall fall." --- Little. Greek, "bitterly." He cannot avoid hearing of his wife's misconduct. (Haydock) --- She will raise him enemies on all sides.

Verse 26

Her. I could wish no greater evil to the worst of enemies, Ecclesiastes vii. 27.

Verse 27

Man. He cannot advance. (Calmet) --- Semper habet lites. (Juvenal vi.)

Verse 28

Beauty. Other qualifications of more importance must be regarded. (Haydock) --- He should choose one who may be a companion and assistant in domestic concerns. (Grotius)

Verse 30

A. Greek, "If she bring a fortune to her husband," (Haydock) she will continually upbraid him with it, and cover him with confusion, ver. 29. (Calmet) --- Lay-leadership in spiritual things is so unreasonable, that few heretics will endure it. (Worthington)

Verse 32

Happy. A lazy wife will give no content.

Verse 33

Die. Eve tempted her husband, and thus we are all involved in sin, 1 Timothy ii. 14.

Verse 34

Water. Incontinency, chap. xxvi. 15., and Proverbs v. 15. If water find a hole, it will presently flow away. Women were kept much at home in the East, as they are in many parts of Europe. (Calmet) --- Retirement and silence are the characteristics of a wise woman. (Æschylus, Thebas.)

Verse 35

She will. Greek, "cut her off from thy flesh." Grabe and Complutensian add, (Haydock) "give a bill of divorce or her dowry, and send her away." (Calmet)

Verse 47