~icked hen.rt is a. constnnt forge of mischief. And yet, after this catalo~ue of social ills, these J?ure.l d1see.ses t:11at prey upon the boily of society and the state, let us be ?omforted m the. recollec_t10n (1) ~h~t al_l evil is transient (ver. 19); and (2) tbat its JU~t an~ appropnate pumshmen_t 1s mev1tabl~. The first and last of frauds with the wicked 1s that he has cheated himself and laid a train of malicious devices which will take effect upon his own soul certainly, whoever else may escape. II. SooIAL VIRTU:EB. 1. ~hey are the conditioo of security to the practiser of them. The root of the ngbteous 1s firmly fixed (ver. 12). Jn time of distress he finds resources and means_ of es~ape_ (ver. 13). 2. They yield him a revenue of blessing. ~e reaps the good fruit of his wise counsels and pure speech. They come back to him 1n echoe~-th_e words of _truth ~.e has spoken to others ( eh. xiii,. 2 ; x viii. 20). And so too "'.Ith his good act10ns. I hey come back with blessing to him who sent them forth with a prayer (ver. 14). Spiritual investments bring certain if slow returns. 3._ Some cha_racteristics of virtue and wisdom enumerated. (1) It is the part of wisdom. to l_isten to all proffered advice, from any quarter, to discriminate and select that which 1s good, and then fullow it (ver. 15). In critical times we ought, indeed, to find ourselves our own best counsellors, in the privacy of prayer, in communion with the Divine Spirit. But it ia ever well to consult friends. Conversation with such wonderfully helps us to clear our own perceptions, resolve our own doubts, confirm our own right decisions. (2) It is the part of prudence to ignore a.Ifroots (ver. 16), instead of hastily resenting them like the fool. .A good illustration may be taken from Saul, as showing the contrast in the same person of wisdom and folly in this matter (1 Sam. x. 27 and xx. 30-33). In the heathen world, Socrates was a noble example of patience under injuries. He taught his disciples that the man who offered an unjust affront really more injured himself than him who received it; and that if the insulted person resented it, he did but place himself on a. level with the aggressor. Either you have deserved the affront or you have not. If you have, submit to it as a chastisement; if you have not, content yourself with the testimony of your con- science. But above all, the example of our Saviour is the example for us, "who ~hen he was reviled, reviled not a.gain, but submitted himself to him that judgeth nght- eously." His whole behaviour at his trial should make a deeper impression ll:pon us_ than a thousand arguments. 4. Truthful speech is one of the most eminent signs_ ot virtue and godliness. How constantly is this emphasized I (1) Truthful and right speech can only proceed from the truthful mind. "He who breathes. truth," says ver. 17, "utters right." We must make truth the atmosphere of our bemg, our very life itself, as in ancient thought the breath is identified with the_ life: (2) Tru_thful and wise speech is also known by its effects (ver. 18). It heals, it bnngs salvallon- correction to error, comfort to the wounded heart. Compare the :picture of our_Lord in the synagogue at Nazareth, and the words he quotes from ~samh_ a_s expressive of the purport of his ministry (Luke iv. 16, etc.). (3) It is valid, abiding, permanent in value (ver. 19). Much in our knowledge is subject to the ~aws of ch_a□ ge and growth. We grow out of the old and into the new. But the simple sent1me_nts of piety and dut.y common to all good men are capable of no change, no ~e~ay. Ot them all the good man will ever say, "So was it when I was a boy; so 1s 1t now I n□: a man; so let it be when I grow old 1" 6. Joy, peace, and eternal safety are the port10n of the wise and just (vers. 20, 21). Joy in the heart, peace in the home and auiongst neicrhbours safety here and hereafter. 'l'ransla.ted into the le.ugnage of tlie gospel, "Glory, h'onour, immortality, and eternal life I" (Rom. ii. 7). For in one word, be enjoys the favour of his God, and this contains all things (ver. 22).-J. Ver. 23.-E:,;perimental truths: 1. Prudent reserve and foolish babbling. I. PRUDENCE HAS REGARD TO TU.Ill:, PLAOE, AND PERSONS; FOLLY HAS NONE. II. PRUDENOE KNOWS THAT THERE IS A TIME FOR SILENCE; THE FOOL WILL STILL ms TALKING. A quiet tongue shows a sound head. JII. A.NXIETY TO MAKE KNOWN OUR OPINIONS MAY DE DOT ANXIETY 'l'O EXALT OURSELVES. Great talkers are great nuisances. The ambitious aim tll shrnc cannot be hidden. The fool talks a.s if he were ambitious to be known for n f,,ol. IV, SILENCE 18 ALWAYS BEASONADLE IN REFERENCE 'l'O SUDJEC'l'~ wg DO NOT trNDERS'l'AND. Were this rule observed, c0nversation would be gencrnlly more enter.. 24G THE PROVERBS. [oH. xn. 1-28
taining and more profitable. At the same time, a great many pulpits wollld be emptied, and publishers and printers would have a sorry time of it (comp.1 'l'im. i. 6, 7). Let us confess that there is a great deal of the fool in every one of us.-J.
Ver. 24.--2. TM promotwn of the diligent and the subjection of tlte slothful. I. THE DILIGE:KT RISE IN LIFE. This is too obvious to need insisting upon. But often, when wonder is expressed at the rise of ordinary men, this solution may be recurred to. A~ a rule, it is not the greatest wits who fill the high places of the realm, but the greatest workers. II. HE OJ\.'LY IS FIT TO GOVERN WHO HAS BEEN WILLING TO SERVE. For in truth the spirit of the true servant and that of the true ruler are alike in principle; it is respect for law, for right beyond and above self-will and self-interest, which animates both. If this has been proved in the trials of an inferior situation, its genuineness has been discovered, and it becomes a title to promotion. Abraham's servant (Gen. xxiv. 2, 10) an<l Joseph (Gen. x.xxix. 4, 22) are illustrations from patriarchal life. III. THE SLOTHFUL DECAY. This too is obvious. But perhaps we often fail to fix the stigma of sloth in the right place. Many busy, energetic, fussy people miscarry because their activity is ill-placed. To neglect one's proper vocation and work is idleness, no matter what may be the uncalled-for activity in other directions.-J. Ver. 25.-3. Depression and comfoi·t. I. DEPRESSION IS COMMON. II. TBouBLE AFFECTS THE REABT. When we use the word "discouragement" we point to a state that is both bodily and psychical. The action of the heart is lowered, and there is less energy to act and to endure. III. THE I!IIIIIEDIATE EFFECT OF SYMPATHY. The kindly word, and all that it expresses of love and fellow-feeling on the part of our friend, quickens the pulse, and restores, as by magic, the tone of the mind.--J. •