Xxviii.—: In every good work is plenty; but where words abound, there is commonly a want

Solomon here distinguishes the fruit of the labor of the tongue, and that of the labor of the hand, as if from the one came want, and from the other abundance. For it almost constantly happens that they who speak much, boast much, and promise largely, are but barren, and receive no fruit from the things they talk of; being seldom industrious or diligent in works, but feed and satisfy themselves with discourse alone as with wind; while, as the poet intimates, “he who is conscious to himself that he can really effect,” feels the satisfaction inwardly, and keeps silent:

“Qui silet est firmus”:

whereas, he who knows he grasps nothing but empty air, is full of talk and strange stories.