  WISDOM EXALTETH HER SONS, AND TAKETH HOLD ON THEM THAT LOVE HER: HE THAT LOVETH HER LOVETH LIFE. AND THEY THAT SEEK HER EARLY SHALL BE FILLED WITH GLADNESS: HE THAT HOLDETH HER FAST SHALL INHERIT GLORY (E. 411, 12). But Wisdom will brook nothing less than the full purport of those words—a diligent search, a genuine love, and an unrelaxing grasp—in exchange for her high rewards. And though it is better to find her late than not at all, as a rule it is true that only the life she has entered early is likely to know great happiness. Yet Wisdom makes no mystery of her treasures, nor hides them willingly. Here are some of her most precious truths. How simply told! How hard to make our very own! As iron sharpeneth iron, So man sharpeneth man. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. Who is ignorant of it? As Bacon says in his essay on Friendship, “There is no such flatterer as is a man’s self; and there is no such remedy against flattery as the liberty of a friend.” And yet how rarely, in actual experience, * * * * * A soft answer turneth away wrath. Have you tested the matter yet? He whose spirit is without restraint is like a city that is broken down and hath no wall. * * * * * Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. * * * * * The wicked flee when no man pursueth. If a righteous man fall seven times, he riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity. * * * * * He that despiseth small things shall fall by little and little. Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. * * * * * Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But a wish fulfilled is a tree of life. Woe unto fearful hearts and to faint hands, And to the sinner that goeth two ways! Woe to the faint heart, for it believeth not; Therefore shall it not be defended. Woe unto you that have lost your patience! What will ye do when the Lord shall visit you? There is no wisdom nor understanding, Nor counsel against the Lord: The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But the victory is of the Lord. Truth stands: Falsehood does not stand. * * * * * This is a very long chapter; Think on these things. |
|
