We are apt to judge of men's blessedness, at least in this world, by
their wealth, and that they are more or less happy accordingly as they
have more or less of this world's goods; but Solomon here shows what a
gross mistake it is, that we may be reconciled to a poor condition, and
may neither covet riches ourselves nor envy those that have abundance.
1. Those that are rich, if by some they are respected for their riches,
yet, to balance that, by others they are envied and struck at, and
brought in danger of their lives, which therefore they are forced to
ransom with their riches. Slay us not, for we have treasures in the
field, Jer. xli. 8. Under some tyrants, it has been crime enough to be
rich; and how little is a man beholden to his wealth when it only
serves to redeem that life which otherwise would not have been exposed!
2. Those that are poor, if by some, that should be their friends, they
are despised and overlooked, yet, to balance that, they are also
despised and overlooked by others that would be their enemies if they
had any thing to lose: The poor hear not rebuke, are not censured,
reproached, accused, nor brought into trouble, as the rich are; for
nobody thinks it worth while to take notice of them. When the rich Jews
were carried captives to Babylon the poor of the land were left, 2
Kings xxv. 12. Welcome nothing, once in seven years. Cantabit vacuus
coram latrone viator--When a traveller is met by a robber he will
rejoice at not having much property about him.