Fragmenda

Scripture

Proverbs 15–17

Proverbs 15

1 

A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

2 

The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.

3 

The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.

4 

A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.

5 

A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.

6 

The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.

7 

The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.

8 

The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.

9 

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.

10 

Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 

Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?

12 

A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.

13 

A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.

14 

The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15 

All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.

16 

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content.

17 

It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.

18 

A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.

19 

The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns: the way of the just is without offence.

20 

A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 

Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.

22 

Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.

23 

A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.

24 

The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.

25 

The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.

26 

Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.

27 

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.

28 

The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked overfloweth with evils.

29 

The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.

30 

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.

31 

The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.

32 

He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof, possesseth understanding.

33 

The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.


Proverbs 16

1 

It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.

2 

All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.

3 

Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.

4 

The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.

5 

Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice: and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.

6 

By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

7 

When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.

8 

Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.

9 

The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.

10 

Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.

11 

Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.

12 

They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.

13 

Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.

14 

The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.

15 

In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.

16 

Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.

17 

The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.

18 

Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.

19 

It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.

20 

The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.

21 

The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words, shall attain to greater things.

22 

Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.

23 

The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.

24 

Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 

There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.

26 

The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.

27 

The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.

28 

A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.

29 

An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.

30 

He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth evil to pass.

31 

Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.

32 

The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities.

33 

Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.


Proverbs 17

1 

Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.

2 

A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.

3 

As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.

4 

The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.

5 

He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his maker: and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.

6 

Children’s children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.

7 

Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

8 

The expectation of him that expecteth is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.

9 

He that concealeth a transgression, seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.

10 

A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.

11 

An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.

12 

It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.

13 

He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14 

The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: and before he suffereth reproach, he forsaketh judgment.

15 

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.

16 

What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.

17 

He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.

18 

A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.

19 

He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.

20 

He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.

21 

A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.

22 

A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.

23 

The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.

24 

Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.

25 

A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.

26 

It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.

27 

He that setteth bounds to his words, is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.

28 

Even a fool, if he will hold his peace, shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.

Catechism

An Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism of Christian Doctrine, Lesson 23, Questions 258-261

258 Q. Is anyone ever allowed to receive Holy Communion when not fasting?

A. Anyone in danger of death is allowed to receive Communion when not fasting.

"Not fasting." But then the Holy Communion is called by another name; it is called the Viaticum, and the priest uses a different prayer in giving it to the sick person. When a person dies, he goes, as it were, on a journey from this world to the next. Now, when persons are going on a journey they must have food to strengthen them. Our Lord wished, therefore, that all His children who had to go on this most important of all journeys—from this world to the next—should be first strengthened by this sacred food, His own body and blood. The Latin word for road or way is via, and Viaticum therefore means food for the way. Not only are persons in danger of death allowed to receive when not fasting, but they are obliged to receive; and the priest is obliged under pain of sin to bring Holy Communion to the dying at any hour of the day or night.

When I speak of a great journey from this world to the next, from earth to Heaven, you must not understand me to mean that it is a great many miles from earth to Heaven, or that it takes a long time to go to the next world. No. We cannot measure the distance, nor does it take time to get there. The instant we die, no matter where that happens, our soul is in the next world, and judged by God.

259 Q. When are we bound to receive Holy Communion?

A. We are bound to receive Holy Communion, under pain of mortal sin, during the Easter time and when in danger of death.

260 Q. Is it well to receive Holy Communion often?

A. It is well to receive Holy Communion often, as nothing is a greater aid to a holy life than often to receive the Author of all graces and the Source of all good.

261 Q. What should we do after Holy Communion?

A. After Holy Communion we should spend some time in adoring Our Lord, in thanking Him for the graces we have received and in asking Him for the blessings we need.