A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.
Ver. 13. A foolish son is the calamity of his father.] Children are certain cares, but uncertain comforts. Let them prove never so towardly, yet there is somewhat to do to breed them up, and bring them to good. But if they answer not expectation, the parent's grief is inexpressible. See the note on Proverbs 10:1, and xv. 20. How many an unhappy father is tempted to wish with Augustus,
‘O utinam caelebs vixissem, orbusque perissem?'
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.] Like as a man that hath met with hard usage abroad thinks to mend himself at home, but is no sooner sat down there but the rain, dropping through the roof upon his head, drives him out of doors again. Such is the case of him that hath a contentious wife - a far greater cross than that of ungracious children, which yet are the father's calamities and heart breaks. Augustus had been happy if he had had no children; Sulla if he had had no wife. All evils, as elements, are most troublesome when out of their proper place, as impiety in professors, injustice in judges, discomfort in a wife. This is like a tempest in the haven, most troublesome, most dangerous. a
a Coniugium coniurgium. De discordi coniugio Themistocles dixit, συνοικουσι, ου συμβιουσι .