meta: {"file": "/data/tomer/Sefaria-Export/txt/Tanakh/Commentary/Malbim/Writings/Malbim on Proverbs/English/merged.txt"}
text: Malbim on Proverbs
  מלבי"ם על משלי
  merged
  
  This file contains merged sections from the following text versions:
  -Sefaria Community Translation
  -
  
  Malbim on Proverbs
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Verse 1
  
  Proverbs: In every thing there is substance, form, actor and purpose. Correspondingly, the verse says that the substance of the book is proverbs, which means a grouping of parables; for in order to teach unknown, obscure and profound things, [the author] will create a proverb based on known things. In this way, the hidden, unknown analogue may be glimpsed through the clothing of the parable.The actor is Solomon, son of David, who is given three descriptions. For the truths become known:1. Through wisdom or prophecy, and to convey this it calls him Solomon, who was wise and upon whom the spirit of God rested;2. Through tradition, and to convey this it calls him "son of David," who had a tradition from his forefathers;3. Through discernment and experience, which is perfected by being in the company of many sages, and to convey this it calls him "king of Israel." Since he was king over "this wise and understanding nation," all the sages gathered with him and he had the ability to examine all topics, as it says, "All this I have tried with wisdom."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Verse 1
  
  
  
  Verse 2
  
  
  
  Verse 3
  
  
  
  Verse 4
  
  
  
  Verse 5
  
  
  
  Verse 6
  
  
  
  Verse 7
  
  
  
  Verse 8
  
  A wise-hearted one will take commandments: A wise one is one who acts according to the principles of wisdom, as mentioned above. However it is has already been elucidated that the impulse of the heart counters the wisdom. And [so] every man (including a wise one) has a constant war with the impulse of his heart and the desires that move him to the opposite of the way of wisdom. But a man who is already accustomed to the way of wisdom, to the point that it is second nature for him, and the heart - which is the controlling power within him - no longer arouses [him] to evil at all, is called wise-hearted...