13. “Whoso despiseth the word shall he destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shone reworded.” He that despises the good admonitions or counsels that are given him, is his own enemy, and destroys himself: but he that reverently submits to the divine commandment makes God his Friend, who will reward him for it.
14. “The law of the wise is a fountain of lift to depart from the snares of death.” The instructions of a good man ought to be as a law to him that receives them; for like the water of a perpetual spring, they are most beneficial: especially to preserve him from those pernicious and destructive principles whereby too many are ensnared,
15. “Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.” A prudent, pious and regular behavior, is most amiable and acceptable to all men: but the conversation of such as live by no law but their own lusts, like rough way, is grievously uneasy.
16. “Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.” All prudent persons are so cautious not to discredit themselves, that they undertake nothing but with due deliberation, and what they understand: but a fool discovers his weakness to be greater than was thought, by rash meddling with matters out of his reach.
17. “A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.” A messenger, or a minister, that wickedly betrays his trust, is so injurious to (his prince or) him that employs him, that he shall not escape a just punishment: but he that faithfully dischargeth this office (healing suppose, or preventing differences and breaches) procures safety to himself, as well as to the person that used his service.
18. “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.” He that proudly rejects instruction, and disdains to be checked in his lewd courses, is likely to be a beggar, and exposed to the public scorn: but he that is so humble as to give a due regard to reproof, and to correct his errors, not only gains a just esteem, but is likely to rise unto dignity and honor.
19. “The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.” It is an high satisfaction to enjoy what we earnestly desire: but fools herein defeat themselves; being so wedded to their wickedness, that they will not quit it, if that must be the condition of their being so happy.
20. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” He that keeps company with wise and good men is likely to be so himself; that is, to be happy: but he who associates himself with the wicked, shall be as certainly ruined, as he will be unavoidably infected with their wickedness.
21. “Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.” The wickedness of sinners pursues them to their unavoidable destruction: and the good which righteous men do, will infallibly return into their own bosom, and reward them with many blessings.
22. “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” A man that doeth good with his estate, takes the surest course to settle it upon his posterity for many generations: but the wealth of him, who regards nothing but his own sinful lusts and pleasures, shall be transferred from his family unto one that is truly virtuous.
23. “Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.” A poor man, many times, makes a plentiful provision for himself and his family, out of a few acres of land; which he manages judiciously and honestly: but there is a sort of men, whose larger estates are wasted; either for want of skill to improve their ground, or because they do not pay the hireling his wages.
24. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Fond affection, which makes a parent forbear to chastise his child for the faults that cannot otherwise be amended, is no better than hatred; for it helps to undo him: therefore he that truly loves his child must not be so indulgent; but as soon as ill inclinations begin to appear, while he is tender and flexible, give him early correction as well as admonition, before he have accustomed himself to the doing evil.
25. “The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.” A righteous man never wants satisfaction, because his desires are moderate, and he lives in a temperate use of God’s blessings: but wicked men, some of them bring themselves to extreme poverty, by their luxury and riot; and others of them are indigent even in the midst of the greatest abundance; because their desires are insatiable, and they never think they have enough.