The advice of Ecclesiastes 8:3 is repeated. St. Peter (1 Peter 2:20) is able to add to the same precept a new and inspiring motive. Yielding pacifieth great offences] RM 'gentleness leaveth great sins undone': both sides will be saved from committing serious misdeeds.

6, 7. He hints that through the ruler's error of judgment, as he gently puts it, the wrong people have received promotion.

8, 9. Prudence is needed in many applications. Otherwise you may dig a pit to entrap your enemy, and then fall into it yourself; or, in pulling down a fence, if you are not heedful, one of the serpents lodging in the crannies may bite you. Similarly the quarrying of stones and the felling of timber call for watchfulness.

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