Why do Italians drink so much wine?

Why is it unseemly for a king or prince to drink wine or strong drink? Why is it for a heavy heart in poverty?

• Proverbs 31 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2031&version=KJV 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

• Answer:

  This passage actually a very wise saying as are all proverbs. Wine and other alcoholic drinks causes forgetfulness, poor judgment, and other things. The more you drink, the more drunk one becomes. This passage is written by a king to his son. He is saying that it is not wise for a king or ruler (government official) to drink these things because it can cause him to make a dumb decision. You might overlook a detail or do something dumb that you wouldn't do sober. Someone like a king or a president has a great deal of responsibility for the safety of the nation and for justice. Alcohol can cloud the decision making ability of the official. The passage goes on to say who alcohol is for, it is for those who are ill and about to die,or those who have heavy hearts (hurt from something possibly the death of a spouse or child). Poverty used in verse 7 isn't poor or low on money, but rather it means poor in spirit due to the things in verse 6. The drink is for them to help forget the pain. Back then it was used as medicine. If that person is in a great deal of pain and about to die, then give them some drink to help make the pain less. If a person is under a great deal of pain from the loss of someone close, give them a little wine to help them forget their pain. That is what these verses are saying.