Proverbes 25:16

16 Quand tu auras trouvé du miel, manges-en, mais pas plus qu'il ne t'en faut; de peur qu'en en prenant avec excès, tu ne le rejettes.

Proverbes 25:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 25:16

Hast thou found honey?
&c.] Of which there was great plenty in Judea; and was to be found in fields and woods, ( 1 Samuel 14:25 1 Samuel 14:26 ) ; eat so much as is sufficient for thee;
to satisfy appetite, without overcharging the stomach; what may be conducive to health, and no more; lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it;
that is, overfilled; filled to a loathing of it, so as to cause a casting of it up this is not merely to be understood in a literal sense; something more is intended, as in ( Proverbs 24:13 ) ; and according to the sense there, that which Maimonides F12 gives of this seems agreeable; that it respects the getting of wisdom and knowledge, which, like honey, is sweet and desirable, and excellent, and nourishing, moderately used: but then persons should take care to keep within due bounds, and not seek to be too wise; or to exercise themselves in things too high for them, and aim at that which is above their capacity; but should content themselves with what is within their reach and compass: and so Gersom understands it. Some think that moderation in the use of worldly things and lawful pleasures is here recommended: and others that the words refer to what follow; that when a man has got a pleasant and delightful friend, he should not visit him too often; lest, too much familiarity bringing contempt, he should lose his friend: so Jarchi connects the words,


FOOTNOTES:

F12 Moreh. Nevochim, par. 1. c. 32, p. 41.

Proverbes 25:16 In-Context

14 Celui qui se vante faussement de sa libéralité, est comme les nuées et le vent sans pluie.
15 Le prince est fléchi par la patience, et la langue douce brise les os.
16 Quand tu auras trouvé du miel, manges-en, mais pas plus qu'il ne t'en faut; de peur qu'en en prenant avec excès, tu ne le rejettes.
17 De même, mets rarement le pied dans la maison de ton prochain, de peur qu'il ne soit rassasié de toi et qu'il ne te haïsse.
18 L'homme qui porte un faux témoignage contre son prochain, est comme un marteau, une épée, et une flèche aiguë.
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.