Proverbs — Chapter 18

Occasiones quaerit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis

He who wishes to separate from a friend seeks pretexts; he shall always be found blameworthy. Lapide: The vice of querulous, pretextual separation from friends. A man who for selfish reasons wants to dissolve a friendship will always find excuses — \"occasiones quaerit\" (seeks occasions) means he manufactures grievances rather than tolerates the minor imperfections of others. \"Omni tempore erit exprobrabilis\" = such a man is always exposed to reproach — his inconstancy reveals him as a self-serving person who values friends only for what they can provide. Lapide: True friendship requires the determination to overlook small faults and not to abandon friends over trivial grievances.

Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiae

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream. Lapide: Two images for the wise man's speech: (1) deep waters (aqua profunda) = the wise man's words have great depth — they contain hidden meaning, they require pondering, they reveal more on reflection than at first hearing. (2) A flowing stream (torrens redundans) = wisdom is an ever-flowing fountain, not a stagnant pool — it is alive, active, always producing new insights and illuminations. Lapide contrasts this with the fool's words, which are shallow, exhausted quickly, and bring no nourishment.

Turris fortissima nomen Domini: ad ipsum currit justus, et exaltabitur

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the just man runs to it and is exalted. Lapide: One of the great consolatory proverbs. \"Nomen Domini\" = not merely the word \"Lord\" but the whole reality of God — His being, His attributes, His fidelity to His covenant. The divine name is a \"strong tower\" (turris fortissima) — impregnable, secure, available to all in danger. \"Ad ipsum currit justus\" = the just man runs (not walks — with urgency and confidence) to this tower in time of danger. \"Exaltabitur\" = he is lifted up above the danger, placed out of reach of harm. Lapide: This is the theology of prayer — in every danger, the name of God and the invocation of His protection is the surest refuge.

Qui invenit mulierem bonam, invenit bonum: et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino

He who finds a good wife finds a good thing, and draws favor from the Lord. Lapide: The good wife (mulier bona) is one of God's greatest gifts to man. She is presented as a \"good thing\" (bonum) in the most comprehensive sense — a blessing for temporal life, for spiritual life, for the family, for society. \"Hauriet iucunditatem a Domino\" = he will draw joy from the Lord — the happiness of a good marriage is ultimately a participation in divine joy, a gift from God who instituted marriage. Lapide notes the addition in some manuscripts and editions: \"He who expels a good wife expels a good thing, and he who keeps an adulteress is foolish and impious.\" The commentary applies this tropologically to the soul's union with divine Wisdom.