_Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and inter-meddleth with all wisdom._ THE CASE OF DIVERSIONS STATED Dull and insipid is every performance where inclination bears no part. Any one man’s sense, however excellent, unless it mixes in society with that of others, always degenera... [ Continue Reading ]
_The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters._ THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE Language is one of the principal tests and standards of civilisation. The study of language is one of the most naturally interesting and naturally elevating studies with which the human mind can occupy itself. I. It is of... [ Continue Reading ]
_A fool’s lips enter into contention._ THE SPEECH OF A SPLENETIC FOOL How frequently Solomon speaks of the fool! and the fool in his idea was not an intellectually demented man, but a morally bad man. I. It is querulous. “A fool’s lips enter into contention.” His ill-nature shows itself in his re... [ Continue Reading ]
_He also that is slothful in his work._ INDOLENCE Indolence is a stream which flows slowly on, but yet undermines the foundation of every virtue. It were as little hazard to be tossed in a storm as to lie thus perpetually becalmed; nor is it to any purpose to have within one the seeds of a thousan... [ Continue Reading ]
_The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe._ THE SECURITY OF THOSE WHO TRUST IN GOD I. Explain what is to be understood by “the name of the Lord.” No particular virtue or charm attaches to the sound or pronunciation of the name. In a mistaken veneration for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility._ HONOUR AND HUMILITY I. Explain the nature of genuine humility. 1. It does not consist in a mean and servile state of mind, in anything that is unworthy of the man or the Christian. Humility dignifies human nature; a... [ Continue Reading ]
_The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?_ SUSTAINING OUR INFIRMITIES The sufferings of this life are not disproportioned to our strength to bear them. And the only evils that are intolerable and insupportable, are wholly owing to ourselves. I. What is me... [ Continue Reading ]
_The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge._ THE ATTAINMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWER OF KINDNESS I. The attainment of knowledge. “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge,” etc. It is suggested by the words that the attainment of knowledge requires two things. 1. A heart for it. “The heart o... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that is first in his own cause seemeth just._ THE BIAS ON THE SIDE OF SELF This proverb touches human life at many points, and human beings feel it touching them. It accords with common experience. It is true to nature--nature fallen and distorted. It does not apply to humanity in innocence. It... [ Continue Reading ]
_A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city._ PHYSICAL POWER AND MORAL POWER In the early life of men and communities, the power most admired is physical power. Those who can conquer in the material world are the heroes of the young. Later, men think more of intellectual achievement... [ Continue Reading ]
_Death and life are in the power of the tongue._ THE POWER OF SPEECH Of all the powers that man possesses there is scarcely any more awful than the power of speech. It is a God-like power. Human speech is no mere evolution from the cry of the animals. Speech became possible on the earth only when... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord._ A HAPPY MARRIAGE At the outset these words strike two thoughts on our attention. 1. That celibacy is not the best mode of social life. Solomon means to say that it is a good thing to have a wife. Even in the state of i... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly._ DUTIES TO EQUALS, NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS, HUSBAND, AND WIFE The carriage of equals to one another should be friendly and equal on both sides. Almost every relation gives love and benevolence a new cast and form, and calls for a new set of officers... [ Continue Reading ]