Ecclesiasticus xxx.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1. He. Greek prefixes “on children.” (Haydock) — And not, &c., is omitted in Greek. It may signify, and not beg, (Calmet) or steal. (Haydock) — The welfare of the country depends on the good education of children, which cannot be performed without correction, (Calmet) though this should never be used till more gentle means have been tried. (Fenelon on Educ.) — The neglect of correction proceeds from a misplaced tenderness, (Proverbs xiii. 24.) which in the end proves most prejudicial both to the child and to the public. (Haydock) — See Plato, rep. ii., and vii; Aristotle, pol. vi.; Cicero, off. ii. (Calmet)
Ver. 2. Them. Greek, “his acquaintance.” (Haydock) — He sees himself re-born in his son, ver. 4. (Calmet)
Ver. 7. Wounds. To which he has exposed himself for his child’s welfare, (2 Corinthians xii. 15.; Raban.) or if he neglect correction, he will have to bewail the wounds which his son’s imprudence shall occasion. Syriac, Vatable, Greek, Complutensian, “He who rubs, (Roman edition) cherishes his son,” &c. (Calmet) — The eldest brother must take care of the rest, so as even to expose himself to danger. (Worthington)
Ver. 8. Horse. A colt full of spirit, when properly broken in, will answer best, so a proper education corrects impetuous tempers. (Plut.[Plutarch] apop. in Them.)
Ver. 10. Laugh. “Smiling he must be feared.” (St. Gregory, Mor. xx. 3.)
Ver. 11. Devices. Greek, “sins of ignorance.” Youth is incapable of guiding itself, being destitute of experience, and too confident, Proverbs xxix. 45.
Ver. 13. Thee. “Very few excel their father.” (Homer, Odyssey E.) — This is sometimes to be attributed to the neglect of education. (Calmet) — Greek subjoins, “on health.” (Haydock)
Ver. 14. Evils. Health is better than riches. (Pythagoras, &c.)
Ver. 15. Justice. This is the first of all advantages. (Calmet) — Thales pronounced him happy who was healthy and rich, and “whose soul was well tutored.” (Laertius) — Greek, “health and a good constitution are preferable to all gold, and a,” &c. (Haydock)
Ver. 17. Rest. In the grave. He speaks not of the soul, Job iii. 13.
Ver. 18. Grave. The dead cannot partake of them, (Calmet) so neither can the sick of their great possessions. (Haydock) — It was customary to place meat on the tombs of the dead. (Calmet) — The pagans invited them to eat; (St. Epip. Ancor.) but the faithful intended it for the poor, who might pray (Calmet) for the deceased. (Menochius) (Chap. vii. 37., and Tobias iv. 18.) — The kings of France were served at table till they were placed in the tomb, and in many monasteries the usual portion is assigned the dead for thirty days, and given to the poor. (Calmet)
Ver. 21. Sighing. Thus meat is useless to those whom God visits with sickness. See chap. xx. 3.
Ver. 22. Sadness. For temporal things, but trusting in Providence, 1 Peter v. 7. Grief for sin is alone of service, 2 Corinthians vii. 10. (Calmet) — Pusillanimity must be avoided. (Worthington)
Ver. 23. A never. Greek, “the joy,” &c., Proverbs xvii. 22., and 2 Corinthians ix. 7.
Ver. 24. Have. Greek, “love thy soul, and comfort thy heart, and drive,” &c. (Haydock)
Ver. 25. Many. Bringing on maladies, and driving people into despair, ver. 22. It was thought that the sad could not prophesy, 4 Kings iii. 15. (Hermas ii.; Mand. iii.; More Neb. ii. 37.) (Calmet)
Ver. 26. Envy. Or jealousy. These passions banish joy. Envy is like rust. (Calmet)
Ver. 27. Always. Greek, “will mind the meats which it shall eat.” (Haydock) — It will feast and enjoy content. This verse and the following chapters are in a much less natural order in the Greek editions, till chap. xxxvii. (Calmet)
Bible Text & Cross-references:
Of correction of children. Health is better than wealth. Excessive grief is hurtful.
1 He *that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours.
2 He that instructeth his son, shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household.
3 *He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him.
4 His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.
5 While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies.
6 For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends.
7 For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled.
8 A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself will become headstrong.
9 Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful.
10 Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy teeth be set on edge.
11 Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices.
12 *Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee.
13 Instruct thy son, and labour about him, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence to thee.
14 Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak, and afflicted with evils.
15 Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better then all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues.
16 There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart.
17 Better is death than a bitter life: and everlasting rest, than continual sickness.
18 Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as messes of meat set about a grave.
19 *What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell:
20 So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity:
21 *He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing.
22 *Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel.
23 The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.
24 Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.
25 *For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.
26 Envy and anger shorten a man’s days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time.
27 A cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence.
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*
1: Proverbs xiii. 24. and xxiii. 13.
3: Deuteronomy vi. 7.
12: Ecclesiasticus vii. 25.
19: Daniel xiv. 6.
21: Ecclesiasticus xx. 2.
22: Proverbs xii. 25. and xv. 13. and xvii. 22.
25: 2 Corinthians vii. 10.