A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Ver. 8. A gift is as a precious stone, &c.] Heb., As a stone of grace. Like that precious stone tantarbe, spoken of in Philostratus, a that hath a marvellous conciliating property; or the wonderworking lodestone, that among other strange effects reckoned up by Marbodeus and Pictorius, doth possessores suos disertos et principibus gratos reddere, make those that have it well-spoken men, and well accepted by princes.
Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.] Most men are δωροφαγοι, and "love with shame, Give ye." Yet some Persian-like spirits there are - as hath been made good before by the examples of Luther, Galeabrius, and some others - that regard not silver; and as for gold, in such a way, they have no delight in it. Isa 13:17 But these are black swans indeed. The most sing, Quis nisi mentis inops oblatum respuat aurum? Who but a fool would refuse offered gold?
a In Vita Apollon, lib. iii. cap. 14.