The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 333

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-9.-Traits of outwa,·d a,nd inward happiness. Happiness depends more on the inward state than on the outward condition. Hence- I. CONTENTMENT AS AN ELEMENT OF HA.l'PINESs. (Ver. 1.) The dry morsel, with rest and quiet in the spirit, is better, says the preacher, than the most luxurious meal ; the allusion being to slaughtered sacrificial animals as the. chief constituents of a rich repast ( eh. iL 2; Gen. xliii. 16). It suggests the picture of "holy love, found in a cottage" (Matthew Henry). The secret of happiness lies rather in limiting our desires than in increasing our substance. II. PRUDENCE AND THRIFT. (Ver. 2.) The prudent servant may rise, and probably not seldom did rise in ancient times, to superiority over the idle and dissipated son of the house. In this light AbrahamJookecl upon Eliezer-that he might probably step into the place of a son in his house. How much more depends, in reference to power and influence in this world, upon sense and prudence than upon birth and every external advantage! III. THE TBUE HEART. (Ver. 3.) The heart which bas been tried in the scales of Jehovah, assayed by the tests of an infallible truth. We need to remind ourselves how little we know of the depths of human character. Our inquiries and our teachings are inadequate and deceptive. The search of the human heart is a royal privilege of God. Without the true, the divinely approved heart, there is no real root of good or bliss; IV. A SINCERE TEllPER. (Ver. 4.) This is suggested, as often, by the hideous con- trast of the wicked, inwardly corrupt heart, which willingly takes note of and inclines to lying words, to the tempter and, his wishes. It takes pleasure in the "naughty words" it dares not, perhaps, utter itself; is glad to borrow words from another to fit its own evil thoughts. In contrast to this, the spirit of the candid and sincerely good man is that expressed by Bishop Hall, " If I cannot stop other men's mouths from speaking ill, I will either open my mouth to reprove it, or else I will stop my ears from hearing it, and let him see in my face that. he bath no room in my heart." V. COMPASSION, PITY, AND SYMPATHY, (Ver. 5.) Contempt of the poor is con- tempt of the majesty of God. 'l'he greater part of poverty is not wilful; _it i~ in the course of the providence of God. "'fo pour contempt on th_e current. com with the king's image on it is treason against the sovereign." 'J'.here 1s so_rneth!ng worse than even this, viz. to rejoice in the calamities of others. It _is a. p~culiarly !~human view, and is certain to be punished in the remorse of the conscience, lil the closmg up of the way to God's heart in the time of one's own·need. VI. Ji.HnLY JOY~. (Yer. 6.) To leave O1Jt these would be to leave oqt that which olI. xvn. 1-28.] THE PROVERBS. M1