The crown of the wise [is] their riches: [but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly.
Ver. 24. The crown of the wise is their riches.] An ornament, an encouragement in well doing, and an instrument of doing much good, if God give a heart thereto; for quid cervo ingentia cornua, cum desit animus? To what end is a treasure, if a man have lost the key that leads to it?
“Vel mihi da clavem, vel mihi tolle seram.”
But the foolishness of fools is folly.] That is, Of rich fools, such as was Pope Clemens V, of whom the historian saith, Papa hic ditior quam sapientior that he was more wealthy than wise. The crown of the wise is their riches; but yet give them to a fool, you put a sword into a madman's hand; the folly of such fools will soon be foolishness. Why, was it not foolishness before they were rich? Yes, but now it is become egregious foolishness. Aφορητος εστι μαστιγιας ευτυχων, the earth cannot bear the insolence of such. Set a beggar on horseback, &c.