He that delicately bringeth up his servant, &c.— Lord Bacon, observing that most of the aphorisms in these last Chapter s refer to princes and their affairs, remarks on this verse. That both princes and private masters should keep a mean in the dispensation of their grace and favour towards servants; which mean is three-fold; first, that servants be promoted by degrees, not by leaps; secondly, that they be now and then accustomed to repulses; thirdly, that they have ever in their sight before them something whereunto they may further aspire: for unless these courses be taken in raising of servants, princes shall, instead of thankful acknowledgments and dutiful observance, be repaid with nothing but disdain and contumacy; for from sudden promotion arises insolence; from constant attainment of their desire proceeds impatience of refusal; and when there is nothing remaining for future expectation, alacrity and industry will cease. See Advan. of Learn. as above. The Chaldee and LXX read this verse, He who nourisheth himself delicately from his youth, shall become a slave, and at the end shall miserably perish. See Romans 7:24.
Related Commentaries of Proverbs 29:21
Proverbs 29:21
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.