The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 284

brethren, our own sisters? Inasmuch as we are "members one of another," of one family, we aro bound to let another feeling than that of contempt take the deepest place in our heart when we think of men and women, whoever they may be, whatever they may have been. II. SELF-GLORIFICATION IS EXCLUDED. What makes us to differ from others? Whence came our superiority in wealth, in knowledge, in strength, in virtue? Did it not come, ultimately, from God? Trace things to their source, and we find that all "boasting is excluded." It is by the favour and the grace of God that we are who and what we are. Not a haughty contemptuousness, but a humble thankfulness, becomes us, if we stand higher than our neighbour. III. No MAN IS WHOLLY DESPICABLE. He may have some things about his character which we deplore and which we condemn, on account of which we do well to remon- strate with him and to make him feel that we have withdrawn our regard and confi- dence. But no man is wholly to be despised. 1. Much of what is bad or sad about him may be the consequence of misfortune. What did he inherit? Who were his earliest counsellors? What were his adverse influences? Against what hurtful and damaging forces has he had to contend? How few and bow weak have been his privileges? how many his privations? 2. There is the germ of goodness in him. There is no man, even among the most depraved, who has not in him that on which wisdom and love may lay their merciful hold, and by which the man himself may be redeemed. Many marvellous and most cheering facts prove that the worst among the bad may be recovered-the most profane, besotted, impure, dishonest. The Christian thought and faith is that all men are within the reach both of the mercy and the redeeming love of G-od. Let Divine truth be spoken to them as it maybe spoken; let Divine and human love embrace them and lay its fatherly or brotherly hand upon them; let the Divine Spirit breathe upon them, and from the lowest depths of guilt and shame they may rise to noble heights of purity and honour.-C. Ver. 23.-Talking and toiling. These words contain solid and valuable truth; that truth does not, however, exclude the facts- I. THAT MUCH LABOUR IS WORSE THAN USELESS. All that which is concE:ived and carried out for the purpose of destruction, or of fraud, or of vice, or of impiety. Only too often ·men give themselves infinite trouble which is worse than thrown away, the putting forth of which is sin, the end of which is evil-misery or even ruin and death. II. THAT MUCH SPEAKING TENDS TO ENRICHMENT. There is a "talk of the lips" which is worthy of taking rank with the most profitable toil. 1. It may cost the speaker much care and effort and expenditure of vital force. 2. It may be a great power for good in the minds of men and even in the histories of peoples- " Like Luther'e in the days of old, Half-battles for the free." 3. It may bring light to the darkened mind, comfort to the wounded heart, rest to the weary soul, strength and iaspiration to the spirit that needs revival. But, on the other hand, the truth which the proverb is intended to impress upon us ie tbis- III. 'l'HAT MUCH VERBIAGE IS VERY PROFITLESS AND VAIN. '!'here is a. "talk of the lips" that does indeed tend to poverty. 1. That which does notbiag more than consumo time. '!'bis is pure waste ; and i11 "An nge (like this) when every hour Must sweo.t her sixty minutes to the death," this can by no mea.ns be afforded. 2. Tha.t which gives false ideas of life; which encourages men to trust to chance, or to despise hoaest toil, or to hope for the success which is the fruit of chicanery and dishonesty, or to find II heritage, not in the consciousness of duty and of the favour of God, but in superficial and short-lived delights. IV. THAT 00NSOIENTIOUS LABOUR IS THE ONE FRUITFUL THING. "In all labour there is profit." 1. Physical labour not only cultivates the field nnd builds the house and clothes the naked, but it gives strength to the muscles and health to the whole body. l'ROVERBS. U  200 'I'HE PROVERBS. [on. xv. 1-33.