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Mr. Bridges says "that mentions a somewhat ludicrous, but significant story. A mountebank published in the full theatre that in the next entertainment he would show to every man present what was in his heart. An immense concourse attended, and the man redeemed his pledge to the vast assembly by a single sentence: 'Vili vultis emere, et caro vendere' ('You all wish to buy cheap, and to sell dear'), a sentence generally applauded; every one, even the most trifling (as Augustine observes) finding the confirming witness in his own conscience." There is no harm in buying in the cheapest market and selling in the dearest. In fact, this is both wise and right in the vendor. Some regard the word "buyer" here in the sense of possessor, and then the idea of the passage is changed, and it is this — that a man attaches greater value to a thing after he has lost it than before. This is a law of human nature. The lost piece of silver, the lost sheep, the lost son. But it is more like Solomon to regard the text as meaning what it says — the "buyer." We offer two remarks upon the passage.

I. That it reveals a COMMON COMMERCIAL PRACTICE. The "buyer" depreciates the commodity in the process of purchase. He does this in order to get it at a price below its worth. And when he succeeds, and it comes legally into his possession, the value of the article is not only properly estimated, but greatly exaggerated. "He boasteth" —

1. Because his vanity has been gratified. He feels that he has done a clever thing. "He boasteth" —

2. Because his greed has been gratified.

II. That it reveals an IMMORAL COMMERCIAL PRACTICE.

1. There is falsehood.

2. There is dishonesty.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

WEB: "It's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.