The proverbs, maxims of instruction, of Solomon.
V. 15. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, it serves as his bulwark in adversity and enables him to go forward with confidence and energy; the destruction of the poor is their poverty, for they are dependent upon, and influenced by, even the slightest misfortune, that is, poverty well deserved on account of foolish and improvident conduct always causes such poor people to sink more deeply in folly and moral need.
V. 16. The labor of the righteous tendeth to life, his earnings, his income, will be used by him in such activities as will bring him true happiness in living; the fruit of the wicked [tendeth] to sin, for he squanders his income for sinful purposes and brings ruin upon himself.