A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all [things].
Ver. 19. A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry.] Slothful governors, Regni dilapidatores (so our Henry III was called for his pride and prodigality), a are all for feasting and frolicking. See Pro 31:4 Daniel 5:3,4. This cannot be maintained without money, for the getting and gathering in whereof the poor people are peeled and polled, and rich men's gifts are received, to the perverting of justice by those corrupt rulers, qui vili precio nihil non humile et vile parati sunt facere, as Gregory Thaumaturgus speaketh in his note upon this verse.
But money answereth all things.] It gives a satisfactory answer to whatsoever is desired or demanded. Seneca saith, circa pecuniam multum vociferationis est, that about money there is much noise, great crying; but though never so nmch, never so great, money answereth all - it effects all. b What great designs did Philip bring to pass in Greece by his golds the very oracles were said, ψιλιππιξειν, to say as Philip would have them: Antipater non tenuis fuit pecuniae, et ideo praevalidae potentiae, saith Egesippus; c he was a well moneyed man, and therefore a very mighty man. The Hebrew, or rather Chaldee, word d used for money 1Ch 29:7 Ezr 8:27 signifies to do some great work, because money is the monarch of the world, and therein bears most mastery. Among suitors (in love and in law especially) money drives the bargain and business to an upshot.
a Daniel.
b ανευηε χαλκου φοιβος μη μαντευεται .
c Lib. i., Excid. Hierosol., cap. 14.
d אדבוו of אדר strong, and בוו to prepare.