The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.
Observe, 1. If men be wise and good, riches make them so much the more honourable and useful: The crown of the wise is their riches; their riches make them to be so much the more respected, and give them the more authority and influence upon others. Those that have wealth, and wisdom to use it, will have a great opportunity of honouring God and doing good in the world.
The crown of the wise is their riches,.... Riches being used by them to increase and improve their knowledge and wisdom, and for the good of men, are an honour to them, and give them credit and reputation among men of sense and goodness; see Ecc 7:11; but the foolishness of fools is folly; mere folly, extreme folly, just the same as it was; riches...
(Compare Pro 3:16). foolishness . . . folly--Folly remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.