Proverbs — Chapter 10

Filius sapiens laetificat patrem; filius vero stultus maerori est matri suae

A wise son makes his father glad, but a foolish son is grief to his mother. Lapide: Chapter 10 begins the second major section of Proverbs (chs. 10-29): a long series of individual, unconnected maxims. These are the \"Proverbs of Solomon\" in the strictest sense — brief, antithetical sayings of practical moral wisdom. On v.1: The spiritual joy of parents over a virtuous child and the grief caused by a foolish or vicious child. Lapide: The greatest gift children can give their parents is virtue; the greatest sorrow they can inflict is vice. He applies this tropologically: the soul is the child of God — wisdom in the soul rejoices the heavenly Father; sin grieves the divine Mother (the Church).

Egestatem operatur manus remissa, manus autem fortium divitias parat

A lazy hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Lapide: This proverb teaches the virtue of industriousness (industria, diligentia) as the ordinary way of providing for one's legitimate needs. \"Manus remissa\" = the slack, idle hand — laziness, procrastination, half-heartedness in work. \"Manus fortium\" = the strong, diligent hand — prompt, energetic, sustained effort. Lapide notes this is a general truth with exceptions (God sometimes rewards the lazy with wealth and afflicts the industrious with poverty, for His higher purposes), but as a moral maxim it stands: industry is the ordinary means God has appointed for earthly prosperity.

Odium suscitat rixas: et universa delicta operit caritas

Hatred stirs up quarrels, but charity covers all sins. Lapide: One of the most beautiful and theologically rich proverbs. \"Odium suscitat rixas\" = hatred is the cause of all quarrels, disputes, and conflicts — it is the root of war. \"Universa delicta operit caritas\" = charity covers all sins — not by ignoring them (which would be indifference) but by: (1) forgiving them generously; (2) bearing with the faults of others patiently; (3) concealing the sins of one's neighbor rather than broadcasting them. Lapide cites St. Peter (1 Pet. 4:8: \"Charity covers a multitude of sins\") and St. Paul (1 Cor. 13: \"Charity is patient... is kind... does not seek her own... bears all things\"). This is the great charity of the saints.

Benedictio Domini divites facit, nec sociabitur eis afflictio

The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and no sorrow shall be added thereto. Lapide: True wealth — wealth accompanied by peace, health, and interior contentment — is a divine gift, not merely the product of human industry. \"Nec sociabitur eis afflictio\" (no sorrow shall be mingled with it) = the blessing of God brings wealth without the anxiety, corruption of soul, and spiritual ruin that often accompany worldly riches. Lapide: The miser's gold is mingled with insomnia, anxiety, and moral corruption; God's blessing brings wealth that truly satisfies, because it comes with righteousness and peace of conscience.