Proverbs 17:5 - Exposition

Whoso mocketh the poor (see Proverbs 14:31 , which is nearly identical). He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished ( Proverbs 11:21 ; Proverbs 24:17 , Proverbs 24:18 ). The particular calamity primarily intended seems to be that which reduces a person to poverty. Delight in others' misfortunes, even those of enemies, is a most detestable form of selfishness and malice. Job, testifying to his own integrity, was thankful to think that he was free from this vice ( Job 31:29 ). The Greeks had a name for it, and called it ἐπιχαιρεκακία , which is used by Aristotle ('Eth. Nic.,' 2.6. 18). The pious author looks for retributive punishment on such spitefulness. The LXX . tries to improve the contrast by resorting a gloss, "He who rejoices at one who perishes shall not go unpunished; but he who hath compassion shall obtain mercy," which is remarkably like Christ's sentence, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."