HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

WISDOM 8

CHAPTER VIII.

Ver. 1. She. The uncreated wisdom is infinite; and the created is the most excellent of God's gifts. W. --- Sweetly. God is every where present, (S. Bern.) and directeth all with ease. S. Aug. ep. ad Dard. q. i.

Ver. 4. Works. Directing us to imitate them, as much as possible. H. --- She teaches us how to refer all to God, (M.) while mere philosophers stop at vain speculations, and barren admiration of the Deity.

Ver. 6. Are. Wisdom is an universal teacher. But she particularly inculcates virtue. All science which has not this tendency is vain. C.

Ver. 8. Speeches. Rhetoric, (Grot.) or doubtful matters, as Solomon discovered the real mother. 3 K. iii. 27. --- Arguments. Greek, "riddles," which were much in fashion. 3 K. x. 1. C. --- Wonders. Such as comets and eclipses. M. --- When Anaxagoras discovered the latter, he durst not write, but only instructed his disciples in secret, for fear of being taken for an atheist, or magician. Plut. in Nicias. --- The sciences, which are now common, were formerly confined to few; and the people looked upon eclipses as so many prodigies. The wise man is possessed of all natural sciences, and can predict the changes of weather, &c. --- Ages. Forming a judgment of futurity from past occurrences.

Ver. 13. After me. He speaks to the great, who are more sensible of glory. Solomon's fame would have continued untarnished, if he had not fallen, (C.) and we may hope that he repented, and verified this prediction. H. --- It is not certain that he obtained immortal glory. W.

Ver. 15. Of me. Wisdom is the best protection. --- Good and valiant. These are the two most essential qualifications of kings.

Ver. 19. Received. "By lot," sortitus, (H.) to exclude all preceding merit. S. Aug. de Gen. lit. x. 18. --- Good soul. Natural dispositions (Pineda) are perfected by grace and labour. C.

Ver. 20. More good. The pre-existence of souls seems to be insinuated, though this is not clear, and the opinion is now rejected. Some are born with a better disposition for learning than others. S. Aug. con. Jul. iv. 3. --- Yet none possess any seeds of virtue by nature, or are more infected than others, with original sin, as some heretics would assert. C.

Ver. 21. Continent. All good must come from God. H. --- Chastity cannot be preserved without his aid. S. Aug. Conf. vi. 11. --- Yet this seems not to be the literal sense. Solomon prays for the acquisition of wisdom, (C. Eccli. vi. 28. and xv. 1. M.) which includes continence, religion, and every virtue. H.