But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
Ver. 8. But the liberal deviseth liberal things.] Beneficus beneficia cogitat: munificentius consultat, et consulit, in opposition to the churl, Isa 32:7 He is of a public spirit, and studieth how and where to do most good. Augustus Caesar was for this called Pater patriae; Father of fathers, Charles the Great, Pater orbis; Father of the world, Claudian thus bespake Honorius -
“ Tu civem patremque geras, tu consule cunctis,
Non tibi; nec tua te moveant, sed publica damna. ”
“You manage the state and your household, you advise everyone,
But not yourself; neither stir yourself, but damage the public state.”
And by liberal things shall he stand, ] One would think he should fall rather; but he knows what he does, and that not getting but giving, not hoarding but distributing, is the way to thrive.