Proverbs — Chapter 11

Statera dolosa abominatio est apud Dominum: et pondus aequum voluntas ejus

A deceitful balance is an abomination to the Lord; a just weight is His delight. Lapide: God specifically commands just weights and measures throughout the Torah (Lev. 19:35-36; Deut. 25:13-16). The fraudulent merchant who uses different weights (heavy to buy, light to sell) commits a double sin: injustice to his neighbor and sacrilege against God, whose name and honor are associated with honest measure. \"Voluntas ejus\" (His delight/will) = God wills and loves just dealing as an expression of His own justice. Lapide applies this broadly: all fraud, all misrepresentation, all taking of more than one's due is \"abominatio\" to God.

Ubi fuerit superbia, ibi erit et contumelia: ubi autem humilitas, ibi et sapientia

Where pride is, there also will be disgrace; but where there is humility, there is also wisdom. Lapide: Pride (superbia) and disgrace (contumelia) are inseparably connected — pride always destroys itself. He gives historical examples: Nabuchodonosor (humiliated by God), Pharaoh, Herod. Humility (humilitas) and wisdom (sapientia) are equally inseparable — the humble man learns, accepts correction, and grows in wisdom. St. Augustine: \"Do you want to be great? Begin from the least. Do you want to raise a great edifice? Think first of the foundation of humility.\"

Ubi non est gubernator, populus corruet: salus autem ubi multa consilia

Where there is no governor, the people shall fall; but safety is where there is much counsel. Lapide: A key verse for political philosophy. Good government requires (1) a capable governor and (2) a plurality of wise counselors. \"Ubi non est gubernator\" = not merely the physical absence of a ruler but the absence of good governance — when rulers are incompetent, corrupt, or unjust. \"Multa consilia\" = the wisdom of collective deliberation: no one man, however wise, can foresee all contingencies; a plurality of wise counselors provides a check on individual error and passion.

Alii dividunt propria, et ditiores fiunt: alii rapiunt non sua, et semper in egestate sunt

Some distribute their own goods and become richer; others seize what is not theirs and are always in want. Lapide: This is the paradox of charity — the generous giver is enriched by God in ways that transcend the material level, while the avaricious man who grasps and hoards finds his riches decreasing or turning to curses. Lapide cites Seneca: \"He who profits others profits himself.\" And the Gospel: \"Give, and it will be given to you\" (Luke 6:38). He applies this to almsgiving: the saint who gives liberally trusts God to provide; and God, who cannot be outdone in generosity, multiplies the gift.

Fructus justi lignum vitae: et qui suscipit animas, sapiens est

The fruit of the just is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Lapide: \"Fructus justi\" = the good works of the righteous man, which become a \"tree of life\" for himself (source of eternal merit) and for others (source of edification and salvation). \"Qui suscipit animas, sapiens est\" = he who wins souls to God is truly wise — this is the highest form of practical wisdom. Lapide: The zeal for souls (zelus animarum) is the queen of virtues; it is the chief work of charity and the imitation of Christ, who came \"to seek and to save what was lost\" (Luke 19:10). This is the charter of apostolic activity.