Proverbs 14:30 - Exposition

A sound heart is the life of the flesh. The heart that is healthy, morally and physically, spreads its beneficent influence over the whole body in all its functions and relations; this is expressed by the word for "flesh" ( besarim ) , being in the plural number, as the Vulgate renders, vita carnium, but the contrast is better developed by taking מרפא in its other signification of "calm," "gentle," "meek," as Ecclesiastes 10:4 . Thus the Septuagint, "The man of gentle mind ( πραΰ́θυμος ) is the physician of the heart." The tranquil, well controlled heart gives health and vigor to the whole frame (see on Proverbs 15:4 ). But envy is the rottenness of the bones ( Proverbs 12:4 ). Envy, like a canker, eats away a man's life and strength; it tells on his physical as well as his moral condition. We hays parallel expressions in classical authors. Thus Horace, 'Epist.,' 1.257—

" Invidus alterius macrescit rebus opimis ."

Martial, 'Epigr.,' 5.28—

" Rubiginosis cuncta dentibus rodit;

Hominem malignum forsan esse tu credas,

Ego esse miserum credo, cui placet nemo ."

Bengal proverb, "In seeing another's wealth it is not good to have the eyes smart." Arabic. "Envy is a raging fever, and has no rest" (Lane). " O invidia ," cries St. Jerome ('Epist.,' 45), " primum mordax tui ." "When the foul sore of envy corrupts the vanquished heart," says St. Gregory ('Moral.,' 5.85). "the very exterior itself shows how forcibly the mind is urged by madness. For paleness seizes the complexion, the eyes are weighed down, the spirit is inflamed, while the limbs are chilled, there is frenzy in the heart, there is gnashing with the teeth, and while the growing bate is buried in the depths of the heart, the pent wound works into the conscience with a blind grief" Septuagint, "A sensitive heart ( καρδία αἰσθητική ) is a worm ( σής ) in the bones." A heart that feels too acutely and is easily affected by external circumstances, prepares for itself constant vexation and grief.