Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Sin by making a vow, above thy strength, (Chaldean; Pineda) or by speaking what may excite the passions. (Thaumat.; Bossuet)
Angel guardian assigned to each one, (Worthington) or the priest, who took cognizance of vows. (Calmet)
Providence, or "foresight "in me to avoid the evil. Hebrew and Septuagint, "it is an error "(Haydock) or sin of ignorance, for which certain victims were specified, Leviticus v. 4. The neglect of vows could not be thus expiated. (Calmet)
Use no allurements to lust. (Menochius)
For as unbounded glory hereafter is promised to those who faithfully serve God and cleave to him according to the rule of this system, so the severest penalties are in store for those who have carried it out carelessly and coldly and have failed to show to him fruits of holiness corresponding to what they professed or what they were believed by people to be. For “it is better,” as Scripture says, “that one should not vow rather than to vow and not pay”; and “Cursed is he that does the work of the Lord carelessly.”
Concerning virginity we have received no commandment, but we leave it to the power of those that are willing, as a vow. [We exhort] them so far in this matter that they do not promise anything rashly, since Solomon says, “It is better not to vow than to vow and not pay.” Let such a virgin, therefore, be holy in body and soul, as the temple of God, as the house of Christ, as the habitation of the Holy Spirit. For she that vows ought to do such works as are suitable to her vow, and to show that her vow is real, and made on account of leisure for piety, not to cast a reproach on marriage. Let her not be one who wanders idly around, or one that rambles about unseasonably; not doubleminded, but grave, continent, sober, pure, avoiding the conversation of many, and especially of those that are of ill reputation. .
