| Proverbs 6:1
| My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, thou hast engaged fast thy hand to a stranger.
| Hand. Agreements were made by shaking hands, Isaias 62:8. (Xenophon, Anab. iii.) --- Stranger. Septuagint, "enemy." He will presently be such, or thy friend's creditor will soon lay hold on thee. By standing surety for another, we expose ourselves to be ruined by his negligence. (Calmet) --- The Persians had a horror chiefly of lying and debts. (Herodotus 1:138.) --- All sureties are not condemned, but only such as are inconsiderate. (Menochius) --- A diligent compliance with engagements is commended. (Worthington)
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