Catholic Commentary on Wisdom 4

"It is better to be childless if one is virtuous, for immortality is found in the memory of virtue." (Wisdom 4:1)

The Value of Virtue over Longevity

It is better to be childless if one is virtuous, for immortality is found in the memory of virtue, because it is known both by God and by mortals. When it is present, people imitate it, and they long for it when it has gone; throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph, victor in the contest for prizes that are undefiled. The Wisdom author addresses the problem of the righteous person who dies young: do not say they were cut off before their time. They were snatched away so that evil might not change their understanding. Their soul was pleasing to the Lord; therefore he removed them quickly from the midst of wickedness. The righteous who die young have attained perfection in a short time; having fulfilled long years, they are counted as old.

The Catechism draws from Wisdom 4 the principle that the length of life is not the measure of its worth: what matters is the quality of the soul's relationship with God, not the number of years (CCC 1007).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, having fulfilled long years, they are counted as old. The faithful soul that lived thirty years in full virtue has lived more than the unfaithful soul that lived ninety years in compromise. Measure your life by the fullness of your fidelity, not the length of your years. Live as if today is sufficient, because in God's economy it may be.

Prayer

Lord God, measure our lives not by their length but by their virtue. Receive us when you call us, however young. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

4
1 O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men. 2 When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts. 3 But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive, and bastard slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast foundation. 4 And if they flourish in branches for a time, yet standing not fast, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out. 5 For the branches not being perfect, shall be broken, and their fruits shall be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and fit for nothing. 6 For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial. 7 But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest. 8 For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs. 9 And a spotless life is old age. 10 He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners he was translated. 11 He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 12 For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind. 13 Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time: 14 For his soul pleased God: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities: but the people see this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their hearts: 15 That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen. 16 But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust. 17 For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not understand what God hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety. 18 They shall see him, and shall despise him: but the Lord shall laugh them to scorn. 19 And they shall fall after this without honour, and be a reproach among the dead for ever: for he shall burst them puffed up and speechless, and shall shake them from the foundations, and they shall be utterly laid waste: they shall be in sorrow, and their memory shall perish. 20 They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them.

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