Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.
Ver. 16. Length of days is in her right hand.] This is the same in effect with Proverbs 3:2. See Trapp on " Pro 3:2 " Oυ μονον ταυτα αλλα και περι ταυτων, said Socrates. The same again may be profitably said over; Solomon wanted neither matter, nor words, and yet he repeats and inculcates (for his readers' greater benefit) the same matter in the self same words almost. Nunquam satis dicitur quod nunquam satis discitur. a As to the text, health and long life is that which every man covets. Now, Non domus et fundus, non aeris acervus et auri aegroto domini deducant corpore febres. b "Riches avail not in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivereth from death." Pro 10:2 The honourable garter cannot cure the gout, nor the chair of state ease the colic, nor a crown remove the headache. Nugas, the Scythian, despising the rich presents and ornaments that were sent unto him by Michael Paleologus, Emperor of Constantinople, asked whether those things could drive away calamities, diseases, or death? c No; this they cannot do; as Henry Beaufort (that rich and wretched Cardinal) found by woeful experience in the reign of Henry the Sixth. For perceiving death at hand, he asked, Wherefore should I die, being so rich? If the whole realm would save my life, I am able either by policy to get it, or by riches to buy it. Fie! quoth he, will not death be hired? will money do nothing? d No; money in this case bears no mastery. Death (as the jealous man) will not regard any ransom, neither will he rest content though thou offer many gifts. Pro 6:35
And in her left hand riches and honour.] Bonus Deus Constantinum Magnum tantis terrenis implevit muneribus, quanta optare nullus auderet. e The good Lord heaped so much outward happiness upon his faithful servant, Constantine the Great, as no man ever durst to have wished more, saith Augustine. If God give his people a crown, he will not deny them a crust. If they have bona throni, the good things of a throne, they shall be sure of bona scabelli, the good things of the footstool.
a Seneca.
b Horat.
c Pachymer. Hist., lib. v.
d Foxe, Martyrol., vol. i. p 925.
e Aug., De Civit. Dei, lib. v. cap. 25.