The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 279

strength and weakness, a.nd the security it begets ia false. 6. Passionateness and f.ricki- fUlSS. (Ver. 17.) The former precipitates men into all follies. Seneca saith well that "anger is like rain, whic_h breaks itself ~pon that whereon it falls." Anger is certainly a kmd of baseness; as 1t appears well Ill the weakness of those subjects in whom it reigns-children, women, old folks, sick folks. Bitter, unforgivable words, the revela• tion of secrets, the breaking off of business,--such are among the follies which anger 1 constantly perpetrates. But the tricky intriguing man is both foolish and odious. Listen to one of the greatest of Englishmen, when he bears testimony that "the ablest men that ever were born all had an openness and frankness of dealing, and a name of certainty and veracity." There is a fine line between the wisdom of reserve and the -vicious cunning of concealment; nothing but the loving and true purpose of the heart can redeem any habit of secrecy from odium. 7. Life a progress in folly or wisdom. (Ver. 18.) We are ever gaining, according to the image of the text. 'l'he mind has its accretions like those or the tree. A man becomes a greater fool the older he grows, or becomes of deeper sagacity, richer and wider views. All depends on how we start. Admit an error into thought, keep it there after it is proved an error, close the mind in any quarter to the light and keep it closed, and ensure a bigoted and foolish age. Let God into the mind from the first, open daily every winnow of the soul to the light, and grow old "learning something fresh every day." 8. The ascendancy of good- ness. (Ver. 19.) The picture is presented of the envoy of a conquered people who kneels at the palace-gate of the conqueror and waits on his commands (compare on the thought, eh. xiii. 9, 22; Ps. xxxvii. 25). There is a might in goodness; may we not say the only true might is that of goodness, for it has omnipotence at its back? It is victoriou11, irresistible, in the end. It is content to be acknowledged in the end by all, the evil as well as the good. Hypocrisy is the homage paid by vice to goodness.-J. V ers. 20--27 .-Causes and eifects. To grasp this princi pie-there is nothing causeless and unaccountable in life---and to apply it is one of the main principles of wisdom, Let us note some of its applications- !. 'l'o SOCIAL RELATIONS. 1. Pove1·ty an obfect qf dislike, and riches magnetic of good will. (Ver. 20.) Widespread parallels may be found in ancient literature to this saying. Its truth is equally obvious to-day. It is a truth of human nature, aud has its bad and its good side. We are apt to be impatient of those who are always needing help, and are disposed to serve those who need nothing. It is a lower illustra• tion of the law that "to him that hath it shall be given." Independence of any kind which implies power and self-help is attractive to all; and we should seek it by all legitimate means. If a man is shunned by others, it may be bees.use they instinctively feel t-here is nothing but dejection to be found in his company, while they need cheerful confidence and helpfulness. The good me.n should strive after competence that he may secure good will, and have free scope for the cultivation of virtue and the exercise of his powers. Another indirect lesson is that friendship thrives best in equal conditions of life. 2. The sources of contempt and of compassion. (Ver. 21.) This seems to correct what might appear harsh in the former saying. Contempt for anything but what is evil in life, or petty and trivial in thought and sentiment, springs from a ba,l i;tate of the heart. '!'here are things we ought all to despise-i.e. look down upon-but certainly the mere poverty of our neighbour or friend is not one of them. Compassion upon those who are in trouble is, on the other hand, a feeling truly Divine. It extorts the blessing of men; it receives the approval of God, the All-compassionate One. 3. The sources of social security. (Ver. 25.) "Souls are saved," human life is preserved, the bonds of intercourse are held together, by the truthful ma.n. Hearts are betrayed, coveuauu. are broken, the integrity of life is shattered, by the deceiver, the hypocrite, and the slanderer. ll. To PERSONAL BLESSINGS AND THE REVERSE. 1. The sources of perplexity or of peace are in the man's own mind. (Ver. 22.) His errors come from the falsity an~ malice of his own counsels, as the effect from the cause. And equally the blessea sense of the Divine presence and the Divine favour is conditioned by the seeking of it in the miud, the heart, the life. 'l'o imagine that we can enjoy good without being gooci. is a sort of superstition. 2. Causes of gain and want. (Ver. 23.) One of the most valuable of Carlyle's teachings was to this effect-the reward that we all recoivo on. xrv. 1-35.] THE PROVERBS. 285