In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house [is] neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.
Ver. 7. In that day shall he swear, saying.] It is come to pass in some places at this day, Ut ambigant prudentiores, otium, an officium aliquod Reip. sint persecuturi, that wise men doubt whether they had best bear office or not; but true goodness is public spirited, though to private disadvantage.
I will not be an healer,] i.e., A ruler. I will not be a binder up, a or a surgeon, for this State is no better than a great spittle; the whole head is sick and the whole heart heavy, &c. I dare not therefore meddle with it, since it is incurable, incorrigible. The Septuagint render it, I will not be thy prince. A king hath his name in Greek from healing, b as Plutarch observeth, because he is to be the physician or surgeon of the commonwealth.
In mine house is neither bread nor clothing.] I have not for mine own, much less for you. A prince had need to be well underlaid, that he may not need to pill and poll his subjects, or in judging to gape after gain.
a In caducum parietem non inclinabo.
b ‘ Aναξ from ακος medela cure.