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Ver. 1. Myself. Solomon acquired wisdom, and all others may do it. Ver. 6. Out. Augustus asked a little before his death: "Have we acted our part (personæ) well enough?" (Suetonius) --- Life is like a stage; before and after which, all are equal.Ver. 7. Wherefore, as I had no advantage over others naturally, I asked for the wisdom requisite to fill so important an office, 3 Kings ix. 10. (Calmet) --- Solomon, whose sayings are here recorded, prayed for wisdom. (Worthington)Ver. 8. Preferred. I did not ask for extensive dominions, &c. (Calmet) --- In Proverbs viii. 10., &c., as well as here, some things refer to the uncreated, and others to created wisdom. (Menochius)Ver. 13. Not. Ecclesiasticus xx. 32., and Matthew xxv. 25. Such disinterestedness deserves to be imitated by all the learned, chap. vi. 25.Ver. 14. God. Coming near to him, chap. vi. 20., and 1 Corinthians vi. 16. The wise do not seek for glory; but it follow them.Ver. 15. Would. With sincerity, and in a sententious and captivating manner, 3 Kings ix. 24. (Calmet) --- Thoughts. Præsumere has this meaning. (Haydock) --- Presumption is far removed from true wisdom. Solomon manifested his greatness of soul by his buildings, and wise regulations.Ver. 18. Times. Or "things." (St. Ambrose, Abr. ii. 7.) --- Times past, present, and future, (Origen, hom. xxi.) or the three seasons;; autumn, the beginning of the civil year, summer the end, and spring or winter, the middle. (Grotius) --- Their. The "seasons," as the Greek implies, (Calmet) and the vicissitudes of heat and cold. (Menochius)Ver. 22. Holy. These are the proper epithets of the spirit of wisdom, (Worthington) or of the Holy Ghost. (Cornelius a Lapide; Lorin.) --- They may also be applicable to the wisdom which resides in man: one, in essence, manifold, in its operations, subtle, knowing all things; (chap. i. 7.) eloquent, to persuade; (Calmet) Greek, "easily moved, or moving," Greek: eukineton, (Haydock) active. Greek, "open (Calmet) or entire."Ver. 24. For wisdom, which is the same with the Spirit, and the Son of God, ver. 25.Ver. 25. Glory. As St. Paul testifies of Jesus Christ, Hebrews i. 3. (Eusebius; Demon. Evang. iv. 5.) --- It may also be understood of the wisdom given to the prophets and saints, ver. 27. Plato thought this to be a vapour, or fire proceeding from God. (In Protag. Philo. de Som.) --- Some apply the passage to the blessed Virgin [Mary]. (Cornelius a Lapide, v. 26.) (Calmet) See Proverbs i. 2. (Worthington)Ver. 26. Goodness. This is particularly noticed, as he speaks of the favours received. It was also an effect of infinite goodness, that the Deity should communicate itself substantially, in the generation of the Son, and the procession of the Holy Ghost. (Menochius)Ver. 27. Prophets. No age or nation has been left destitute by God. Among the Gentiles, Job was a saint. (Haydock) --- The philosophers also knew God, (Romans i. 21.) and taught many important truths, (Calmet) though they erred in other respects, and dishonoured their profession. True religion has always subsisted, and saints, (Haydock) yea even pagan philosophers, have borne witness to the truth. (Clement of Alexandria, &c.) (Calmet)Ver. 30. Evil. Or disgrace. (Grotius) --- The brightest days are succeeded by night. The divine wisdom never fails, though that of man is subject to change, as Solomon has taught us by his own woeful example. (Calmet) |
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