Ver. 10.-Foi·ce and wisdom. The homely adage in the first part of this vers!l prepares for the broad general statement by which it is followed. 1. IN MECHAlIICAL UNDERTAKINGS THE SUPERIORITY OF SKILL TO BRUTE FOROE IS MOST APPARENT. This is obvious ii:. the superiority of the workmanship of the civilized and cultured t-0 that of the barbarian. ll. WISDOM HAS A VAST ADVANTAGE IN THE ORDINARY AFFAIRS OF HUMAN LIFE. The old fairy stories usually represented the muscular giant as a simpleton easily out- witted by the youth or the dwarf; the lesson being that mere strength avails but little for those ends which men most seek and prize. It is wisdom which is profitable to direct-a truth which applies not merely to mechanics, but to the various arts which men cultivate. What vocation is there in which thought, investigation, the adaptation of means to ends, a calm deliberate judgment,·are not serviceable? It is the wis1, who reap the harvest of life, who sway the realm of humanity. III. WISDOM IS PRE-El!T.sEl:-.'TLY OF SERVI0E IN ALL TRUE RELIGIOUS LIFE AND ENTERPRISE. It is true that human wisdom is depreciated in some passages of Holy Writ. But careful attention will show that it is only the lower type of wisdom . which inspiration disparages. They who have only" the wisdom of this world," who are " wise in their own conceit," are indeed condemned. But, on the other hand, they are approved who receive the wisdom of God in Christ, and who are wise unto salvation. It is the enlightening influence of God's Holy Spirit that leads to an appreciation of the gospel itself, and that directs those whose endeavour and aim it is to bring their fellow-men into the enjoyment of those blessings which that gospel secures.-T.
Vers. 11-15.-171,e obtrusiveness and the condemnation of folly. Although some of the language employed in this passage is unquestiona;bly obscure, the general tenor of it is clear enough. The contrast which is drawn between wisdom and folly is what we meet with, under other forms, in other portions of the book, and the exposure and censure of the thoughts and the ways of the fool are fitted to warn the young against forsaking the rough but safe paths of true wi8dom. I. FOLLY IS SHOWN IN THE UNNE0ESSARY MULTIPLICATION OF WORDS. Fools speak when there is no occasion, when th~y have nothing to say, or when they have already said all that was needful. II. FOLLY REVEALS ITSELF, THOUGH WITHOUT PROVOCATION. It cannot be concealed; it is obtrusive and glaring. The fool is his own enemy: "his lips will swallow up himself." Jll. FOLLY IS DISPLAYED IN DOGMATI0 UTTERAN0ES UPON MATTERS WHICH ARE BEYOND HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. There are many subjects upon which modesty and reticence are required by wisdom. Especially is this the case with regard to the future. But it is presumed in this passage that the fool will not restrain himself from pronouncing upon what is beyond human knowledge or human prescience. IV. FOLLY IS WEARISOME TO THOSE WHO WITNESS TH& WORKS AND WHO LISTEN TO THE WORDS BY WHICH IT BEVEALB ITSELF. V. FOLLY 18 MANIFESTED IN INCOMPETENOY FOB THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AF1'.AIRB. 'l'he fool "knoweth not bow to go to the city," i.e. how to transact public buerness, and to give advice regarding civic action. VI. FOLLY IS SURE TO ISSUE IN MISCHIEF AND DISASTER. It is sometimes repre- en. x. 1-20.] ECCLESIASTES; OR, TH~ PREACHER. 2G5
eented that fools can do no harm ; that real mischief is wrought by malice, by criminal designs and actions. But a. careful inquiry into the facts would show that very much of the evil that afflicts society is brought to pass by mere folly. The Hebrews and the Greeks were agreed in representing wisdom as a cardinal virtue. It is men's duty to cultivate wisdom. If they neglect to do so, it matters not that they have no criminal intentions; the absence of wisdom must needs lead to conduct which will involve themselves and others in much suffering, and even in terrible calamities.-T.
Vars. 16, 17.-Statesmanship. It is sometimes assumed that moral qualities are unimportant in relation to political affairs. If a king be brave in his warlike expedi- tions, splendid in hie court, and affable in his demeanour; if a statesman be sagacious in counsel and determined in action, it is too generally assumed that nothing further is wanting to secure national greatness and prosperity. The writer of Ecclesiastes looked far deeper, and saw the necessity of a self-denying and laborious character in order to true kingly and statesmanlike service. J. lliOOMPETENCE AND SELF-INDULGENCE m THOSE WHO OCCUPY HIGH PLACES ARE A OURSE TO A NATION. Men who are flung into power by the wave of royal favouritism, or by popular caprice and applause, are apt to use their exalted station as a means to personal enjoyment and to the gratification of vanity. Statesmen who pass their time in luxury and social ostentation will certainly neglect the public interests. They account their power and rank a8 their possession, and not as a sacred trust. Their example tends to debase the national morals, and to lower the standard of public life. They surround themselves with flatterers, and they neglect their proper duty, until they a.wake to :find their country plunged into calamity or threatened with enslavement. IJ. SELF-DENIAL, EXPERIENOE, AND DILIGENCE ARE QUALITIES WHICH ENSURE TRUE STATESMANSHIP. In despotic governments it is obvious that the national prosperity depends very largely upon the patriotism and justice, the assiduity and unwearied devotion to duty, of those in hiii;h station. The conditions of national life under a constitutional government a.re different. Yet there is no political community in which unselfishness, tempera.nee, and diligent application to the public service are not valuable qualities on the part of those who deliberate and decide npon great public questions, and of those who administer a. nation's affairs. APPLIOATION. In modem states, where the representative principle so largely obtains, great power is placed in the hands of the citizens and subjects. With them accordingly rests much of the responsibility for the righteous government and the true prosperity of the nation. It behoves Christian men to beware of being misled by party spirit, and so of overlooking the grave moral faults of those who solicit their confidence. It is in the power of the people to raise to positions of eminence and authority men whose aim is not personal aggrandizement and enjoyment, but the public good. If this power be wisely and firmly exercised, vice and crime will be repressed, order and liberty will be maintained, and the nation will maintain a. high position and exercise a noble influence among the nations of the earth. Then the spectator will be inspire,! to utter the exclamation, '' Happy art thou, 0 land 1"-T.