GOMNWORDS FROM THE 
 BOOK OF WISDOM 
 
 f.a:wightman 
 
 3RARY OF RELIGIOUS THOUGHT 
 
 I 
 
BS 1465.2 .W53 1918 
 Wightman, F.A. 
 Golden words from the Book 
 of Wisdom 
 
 O K* I 
 
 \Jii 
 
GOLDEN WORDS FROM THE 
 BOOK OF WISDOM 
 
Golden Words from the 
 Book of Wisdom 
 
 A New Arrangement of the 
 Book of Proverbs 
 
 BY 
 
 F. A. Wig HTM AN 
 
 ^■■ 
 
 L^i 
 
 'UN 10 191 
 
 BOSTON : 
 THE GORHAM PRESS 
 
 MCMXVIII 
 
Copyright 1918 by F. A. WicHXMANf 
 
 All Rights Reserved 
 
 Made in the United States of America 
 
 The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. 
 
TO MY CHILDREN AND ALL PARENTS AND TEACHERS 
 
 TOGETHER WITH ALL WHO SEEK TO LAY THE 
 
 FOUNDATIONS OF WORTHY CHARACTER IN 
 
 THE RISING GENERATION, THIS LITTLE 
 
 VOLUME IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The Book of Proverbs is, perhaps, the least 
 read of any of the books of the Bible. This is 
 not because of its lack of worth or because it 
 lacks in human interest, but, as we believe, be- 
 cause of its lack of consecutive treatment of sub- 
 jects. The disconnected character of the book 
 in its present form is, of course, very natural 
 when we consider its title and origin. It is ex- 
 actly what its title indicates, namely, a collection 
 of Hebrew proverbs. They refer to a multitude 
 of subjects but do not pretend to deal exhaustive- 
 ly or connectedly with any or scarcely any. There 
 are, it is true, a few people who regard the Book 
 of Proverbs as having a definite and studied 
 arrangement of subject matter. But to the great 
 majority of Bible students and readers, this view 
 will not find acceptance either in reason or in the 
 evidence furnished in the book itself. 
 
 The more likely and very evident method fol- 
 lowed in the compilation of the book is that these 
 incomparable proverbs were recorded, for the 
 most part, as they were called to mind, or as they 
 came into use, with little regard to subjects. 
 Solomon, no doubt, is the author of a considerable 
 number of these sayings, but doubtless many had 
 other sources of origin, and found their way into 
 current speech before his day. It would seem, 
 however, that he recognized their value and had 
 
 5 
 
6 Preface 
 
 them recorded or "written down in order" as 
 they could be collected, a few today and a few 
 tomorrow as they came to his notice. This col- 
 lection made by the official scribe under the 
 auspices of the King, gave the whole collection an 
 official status and a recognition of sacred authority 
 by ecclesiastical sanction of the day. Once hav- 
 ing passed into the recognized canon of Hebrew 
 scriptures, no re-editing of its contents would, 
 of course, be permitted so far as the scriptures 
 are concerned, and so they have ever remained 
 in the original form. 
 
 In this somewhat haphazard order of arrange- 
 ment, these gems of Hebrew wisdom will, of 
 course, always continue, nor would we wish it 
 otherwise. They have been spoken of as a 
 string of costly gems of various sizes, shapes and 
 colors made at random. In this form, they have 
 a certain beauty and a sacred relationship which 
 the world always will preserve. It is of interest, 
 however, and, we think, of advantage sometimes 
 to re-string these glittering gems according to a 
 more systematic classification. This is merely 
 what I have endeavored to do. A considerable 
 portion of the book of Ecclesiastes consists of 
 later proverbs woven into the story. Some of 
 them I have included in this classification. No 
 doubt the work of classification could have been 
 better done by others, but I think my efforts in 
 this direction may tend to a better knowledge of, 
 and a wider popularity for, this most practical 
 portion of the Sacred Scriptures. 
 
Preface 7 
 
 Every people who have achieved any degree 
 of civihzation have a book of Proverbs, either 
 written or oral. The value of these reflect, very 
 largely, the degree and character of the civiliza- 
 tion any people represent. Judged by this stand- 
 ard, ancient Israel was worthy of a high place. 
 \\ hile the proverbs of all nations and all times 
 are worthy of study, those of Israel's Philosopher- 
 King never have been surpassed or equalled either 
 in the variety of subjects referred to, or in the 
 purity and exalted character of the ideals set 
 iorth. This is doubtless due to the spirit of 
 Divine inspiration which gave them birth and 
 led to their exalted place in their literature and 
 their miraculous preservation to the present day. 
 
 If these grand truths, so strikingly expressed, 
 could be burned into the minds and hearts of 
 each rising generation, they could not help but 
 supply a saner and more worthy outlook upon 
 life. All the great essential truths of the moral 
 life are here splendidly emphasized. No educa- 
 tion is completed and no man or woman is fully 
 fitted to fight the moral or material battles of life 
 till these principles of life be at the foundation of 
 their characters and their careers. In this new 
 arrangement, my prayer is that they may be 
 more highly appreciated and more widely read. 
 If we need devotion for worship or history of 
 ancient times, or revelation of God's message 
 
8 Preface 
 
 and will to men, we turn to other sections of God's 
 Word. But for a school of morals and the prin- 
 ciples of material success, we must turn to these 
 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom. 
 
 F. A. WiGHTMAN. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 I. 
 
 11. 
 
 111. 
 
 IV. 
 
 V. 
 VI. 
 
 VII. 
 
 VIII. 
 IX. 
 X. 
 
 XI. 
 
 XII. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 XV. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Scribe's Preface 13 
 
 Good Advice for Boys 15 
 
 Good Advice for Girls 18 
 
 The " A. B. C. " of Wisdom .... 20 
 
 Father, Mother and Home 22 
 
 Home Maxims for the Home 
 
 Circle 25 
 
 Sparing the Rod or Family Dis- 
 cipline 27 
 
 Concerning Servants 29 
 
 \\ ho Are Your Companions .^ . . 31 
 Gold and Dross in Human Char- 
 acter 3^ 
 
 Danger Signals for Dangerous 
 
 Paths 36 
 
 Beware! ^8 
 
 Some Striking Contrasts 41 
 
 The Principal Thing 45 
 
 Knowledge is Power 48 
 
 Make Hay While the Sun Shines 5 1 
 A Short Course in Business Prin- 
 ciples .-f 
 
 9 
 
lO 
 
 Contents 
 
 XV'III. Riches and Poverty 60 
 
 XIX. Don't Be a Hog 63 
 
 XX. Don't Be a Fool 65 
 
 XXI. Don't Be a Drunkard 68 
 
 XXII. Don't Be a Liar 70 
 
 XXIII. Don't 71 
 
 XXIV. Let Us Go to Church 74 
 
 XXV. The Words of My Mouth 77 
 
 XXVI. TheMeditationsof My Heart.. 80 
 
 XXVII. Who is My Neighbor.? 82 
 
 XXVIII. Slow to Speak and Slow to Wrath 85 
 
 XXIX. Mind Your Own Business 86 
 
 XXX. Kings and Those in Authority.. 88 
 
 XXXI. Are You a Politic an.? 93 
 
 XXXII. Lights and Shadows 97 
 
 XXXIII. Vengeance is Mine 100 
 
 XXXIV. Light in the Darkness 102 
 
 XXXV. Sunset and Evening Star 103 
 
GOLDEN WORDS FROM THE 
 BOOK OF WISDOM 
 
Golden Words from the 
 Book of Wisdom 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THE scribe's preface 
 
 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king 
 of Israel 
 
 ^ I "O know wisdom and instruction; to perceive 
 ■■■ the words of understanding; to receive the 
 instruction of wisdom, justice, and judg- 
 ment, and equity; to give subtilty to the simple, 
 to the young man knowledge and discretion, are 
 they written. A wise man will hear, and will 
 increase learning; and a man of understanding 
 shall attain unto wise counsels. To understand 
 a proverb, and the interpretation, the words of 
 the wise, and their dark sayings is wisdom. 
 
 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, 
 he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave 
 good heed, and sought out, and set in order many 
 proverbs. The preacher sought to find out ac- 
 ceptable words: and that which was written was 
 upright, even words of truth. The words of the 
 wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the 
 masters of assemblies, which are given from one 
 shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be 
 admonished: of making many books there is no 
 end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 
 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures 
 of silver. 
 
 13 
 
14 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the 
 prophecy; the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto 
 Ithiel and Ucal, "Surely I am more brutish than 
 any man, and have not the understanding of a 
 man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the 
 knowledge of the holy. Who hath ascended up 
 into heaven, or descended.^ who hath gathered 
 the wind in his fists .^ who hath bound the waters 
 in a garment? who hath established all the ends 
 of the earth.** what is his name, and what is his 
 son's name, if thou canst tell?" But every word 
 of God is pure; He is a shield unto them that 
 put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His 
 words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found 
 a liar. 
 
 These are proverbs of Solomon, which the men 
 of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 GOOD ADVICE FOR BOYS 
 
 "JV/TY son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall 
 "^ rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall 
 rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. 
 Let not thine heart envy sinners; but be thou in 
 the fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely 
 there is an end; and thine expectations shall not 
 be cut off. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and 
 guide thine heart in the way. Be not among 
 winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh; for 
 the drunkard and the glutton shall come to pover- 
 ty and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 
 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and 
 despise not thy mother when she is old. 
 
 My son, let not the ornaments of truth depart 
 from thine eyes, keep sound wisdom and discre- 
 tion. So shall thy life be unto thy soul, and 
 grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in the 
 way safely, and thy foot shalt not stumble. 
 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; 
 yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be 
 sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of 
 the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 
 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall 
 keep thy foot from being taken. 
 
 My son, fear thou the Lord and the king; and 
 meddle not with them that are given to change, 
 
 15 
 
1 6 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 for their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who 
 knoweth the ruin of them both? Remove not the 
 ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. 
 
 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than 
 for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the 
 crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter 
 of the fool: this also is vanity. Whose loveth 
 wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth 
 company with harlots spendeth his substance. 
 The way of man is froward and strange; but as 
 for the pure his work is right. My son, hear the 
 instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law 
 of thy mother; for they shall be an ornament of 
 grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 
 
 Keep thy heart with all dihgence; for out of it 
 are the issues of life. Put away from thee a fro- 
 ward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 
 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eye- 
 lids look straight before thee. Ponder the path 
 of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 
 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove 
 thy foot from evil. 
 
 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let 
 thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and 
 walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight 
 of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these 
 things God will bring thee into judgment. There- 
 fore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away 
 evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are 
 fleeting. 
 
Good Advice for Bop 1 7 
 
 Aly son, forget not my law; but let my heart 
 keep my commandments; for length of days, and 
 long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let 
 not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them 
 about thy neck; write them upon the table of 
 thine heart; so shalt thou find favour and good 
 understanding in the sight of God and man. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 GOOD ADVICE FOR GIRLS 
 
 t^VERY wise woman buildeth her house; but 
 ^-^ the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 
 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a 
 fair woman which is without discretion. A con- 
 tinual dropping in a very rainy day and a conten- 
 tious woman are alike. Whosoever hideth her 
 hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, 
 which betrayeth itself. It is better to dwell in a 
 corner of the housetop, than with a brawling 
 woman in a wide house, but a gracious woman 
 retaineth honour, as strong men retain riches. 
 
 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go 
 not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by 
 it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not 
 except they have done mischief; and their sleep, 
 is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 
 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink 
 the wine of violence. But the path of the just 
 is as the shining light, that shineth more and more 
 unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is 
 as darkness; they know not at what they stumble. 
 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou 
 perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 
 
 A good name is rather to be chosen than great 
 riches, and loving favour rather than silver and 
 
Good Advice for Girls 19 
 
 gold. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that 
 thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. The fear 
 of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom ; and before 
 honour is humility. By humility and the fear of 
 the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE A. B. C. OF WISDOM 
 
 \X7'ISD0M hath builded her house, she hath 
 ^ ~ hewn out her seven pillars; she hath killed 
 her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she 
 hath also furnished her table. She hath sent 
 forth her maidens; she crieth upon the highest 
 places of the city: — "Whoso is simple, let him 
 turn in hither. " As for him that wanteth under- 
 standing, she saith to him: "Come, eat of my 
 bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 
 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of 
 understanding." 
 
 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself 
 shame; and he that rebuketh a wicked man 
 getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner 
 lest he hate thee; rebuke a wise man and he will 
 love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and 
 he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will 
 increase in learning. 
 
 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; 
 and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 
 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the 
 years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be 
 wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; but if thou 
 scornest, thou alone shall bear it. The fear of the 
 
 20 
 
The A B C of Wisdom 21 
 
 Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools 
 despise wisdom and instruction. 
 
 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and 
 hide my commandments with thee, so that thou 
 incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine 
 heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after 
 knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for under- 
 standing; if thou seekest her as silver, and search- 
 est for her as hid treasures; then shalt thou under- 
 stand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge 
 of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of his 
 mouth Cometh knowledge and understanding. 
 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous; he 
 is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He 
 keepeth the paths of judgment and preserveth 
 the way of his saints. Then shalt thou under- 
 stand righteousness, and judgment, and equity, 
 yea, every good path. 
 
 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the 
 wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 
 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within 
 thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That 
 thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known 
 to thee this day, even to thee. Have I not written 
 to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 
 that I might make thee know the certainty of the 
 words of truth; that thou mightest answer the 
 words of truth to them that send unto thee. The 
 fear of the Lord tendeth to life; and he that hath 
 it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited 
 with evil. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 FATHER, MOTHER, AND HOME 
 
 "^XZHOSO findeth a wife findeth a good thing 
 ' * and obtaineth favour of the Lord. Go thy 
 way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy 
 wine with a merry heart, for God now accepteth 
 thy works. Let thy garments be always white; 
 and let thy head lack no ointment. Live joyfully 
 with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of 
 thy fleeting life which he hath given thee under 
 the sun, all the days of thy fleeting life, for that 
 is thy portion in life, and in thy labour which 
 thou'takest under the sun. 
 
 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and 
 running waters out of thine own well. Let thy 
 fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of 
 waters in the streets. Let them be only thine 
 own, and not strangers' with thee. Let thy 
 fountain be blessed; and rejoice with the wife of 
 thy youth. Let her be as the lo-ving hind and 
 pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all 
 times; and be thou ravished always with her love. 
 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a 
 strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a 
 stranger.'' For the ways of man are before the 
 eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. 
 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a 
 man that wandereth from his place. He that 
 
 22 
 
Father, Mother and Home 
 
 troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; 
 and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 
 
 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the 
 wicked; but he blesseth the habitation of the just. 
 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great 
 treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a 
 dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and 
 hatred therewith. The spirit of a man will sus- 
 tain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can 
 bear? Better is a dry morsel, and quietness 
 therewith, than an house full of sacrifice with 
 strife. It is better to dwell in the corner of the 
 housetop than with a brawling woman and in a 
 wide house. It is better to dwell in the wilder- 
 ness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. 
 •A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and 
 the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 
 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers; 
 and a prudent wife is from the Lord. 
 
 Who can find a virtuous woman. ^ for her price 
 is far above rubies. The heart of her husband 
 doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no 
 need of spoil. She will do him good and not 
 evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and 
 flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She 
 is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food 
 from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, 
 and giveth meat to her household, and a portion 
 to her maidens. She considereth a field, and 
 buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth 
 
24 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, 
 and strengtheneth her arms. 
 
 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; 
 her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth 
 her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the 
 distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; 
 yea, she stretcheth forth her hands to the needy. 
 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: 
 for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 
 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her 
 clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is 
 known in the gates, when he sitteth among the 
 elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and 
 selleth it; delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 
 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she 
 shall rejoice in time to come. 
 
 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in 
 her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh 
 well to the ways of her household, and eateth not 
 the bread of idleness. Her children rise up, and 
 call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth 
 her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but 
 thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and 
 beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the 
 Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit 
 of her hands; and let her own works praise her 
 in the gates. 
 
 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; 
 but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in 
 his bones. The Lord will destroy the house of the 
 proud; but he will establish the border of the 
 widow. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 HOME MAXIMS FOR THE HOME CIRCLE 
 
 ^ I *HE proverbs of Solomon: A wise son maketh 
 "■• a glad father; but a foolish son is the heavi- 
 ness of his mother. 
 
 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, 
 and attend to know understanding. For I give 
 you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For 
 I was my father's son, tender and only beloved 
 in the sight of my mother. He taught me also 
 and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my 
 words; keep my commandments, and live. 
 
 Children's children are the crown of old men; 
 and the glory of children are their fathers. The 
 father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice; and 
 he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of 
 him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, 
 and she that bear thee shall rejoice. In the fear 
 of the Lord is strong confidence; and his children 
 shall have a place of refuge. 
 
 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his 
 lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. A 
 foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness 
 to her that bare him. The just man walketh in 
 his integrity; his children are blessed after him. 
 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth 
 
 25 
 
26 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall 
 pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. 
 
 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow 
 thine ear to my understanding; that thou mayest 
 regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep 
 knowledge. Whoso robbeth his father or his 
 mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the 
 same is the companion of a destroyer. He that 
 wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, 
 is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth re- 
 proach. Cease, my son, to hear the instruction 
 that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 
 
 A wise son heareth his father's instruction; but 
 a scorner heareth not rebuke. A wise son maketh 
 a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his 
 mother. A fool despiseth his father's instruction; 
 but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. Whoso 
 keepeth the law is a wise son; but he that is a com- 
 panion of riotous men shameth his father. Even 
 a child is known by his doings, whether his work 
 be pure, and whether it be right. 
 
 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear 
 unto my sayings. Let them not depart from 
 thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 
 For they are life unto those that find them, and 
 health to all their flesh. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 SPARING THE ROD OR FAMILY DISCIPLINE 
 
 XXT'HOSO loveth instruction loveth knowledge; 
 ^ ' but he that hateth reproof is brutish. As 
 an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine 
 gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 
 The ear that heareth the reproof of life, abideth 
 among the wise. He that refuseth instruction 
 despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth re- 
 proof getteth understanding. Correction is griev- 
 ous unto him that forsaketh the way; and he that 
 hateth reproof shall die. 
 
 Withhold not correction from the child, for if 
 thou correctest him with the rod, he shall not die. 
 Thou shalt chastise him with the rod, and shalt 
 deliver his soul from hell. He that spareth the 
 rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chas- 
 teneth him betimes. The rod and reproof give 
 wisdom; but a child left to himself bringeth his 
 mother to shame. Foolishness is bound in the 
 heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall 
 drive it far from him. Chasten thy son while 
 there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his 
 crying. Poverty and shame shall be to him that 
 refuseth instruction; but he that regardeth re- 
 proof shall be honoured. Correct thy son, and 
 he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight 
 
 27 
 
28 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 unto thy soul. Train up a child in the way he 
 should go: and when he is old, he will not depart 
 from it. 
 
 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that 
 I may answer him that reproacheth me. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 CONCERNING SERVANTS 
 
 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that 
 '^*- causeth shame, and shall have part of the 
 inheritance among the brethren. 
 
 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so 
 is a faithful messenger to them that send him; 
 for he refresheth the soul of his masters. As 
 vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so 
 is the sluggard to them that send him. 
 
 The king's favour is toward a wise servant; but 
 his wrath is against him that causeth shame. 
 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a 
 servant to have rule over princes. He that deli- 
 cately bringeth up his servant from a child shall 
 have him become his son in the end. For three 
 things the earth is disquieted, and for four which 
 it cannot bear: for a servant when he reigneth; 
 and a fool when he is filled with meat; for an 
 odious woman when she is married; and an hand- 
 maid that is heir to her mistress. 
 
 Also take no heed unto all words that are 
 spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 
 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that 
 thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. Accuse 
 not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, 
 
 29 
 
30 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 and thou be found guilty. A servant will not be 
 corrected by words; for though he understand he 
 will not answer. 
 
 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit 
 thereof; so he that waiteth on his master shall be 
 honoured. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 WHO ARE YOUR COMPANIONS? 
 
 "D E not thou envious against evil men, neither 
 ■*-' desire to be with them. For their heart 
 studieth destruction, and their lips talk of 
 mischief. 
 
 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 
 If they say, "Come with us, let us lay wait for 
 blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without 
 cause; let us swallow them up alive as the grave; 
 and whole, as those that go down into the pit; we 
 shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our 
 houses with spoil; cast thy lot among us; let us 
 all have one purse." My son, walk not thou in 
 the way with them; refrain thy foot from their 
 path, for their feet run to evil, and make haste to 
 shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in 
 the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for 
 their own blood; they lurk privily for their own 
 lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy 
 of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners 
 thereof. Whoso is partner with a thief hateth 
 his own soul; he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth 
 it not. 
 
 There is a generation that curseth their father, 
 and doth not bless their mother. There is a 
 generation that are pure in their own eyes, and 
 
32 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 yet is not washed from their filthiness. There 
 is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and 
 their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation, 
 whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as 
 knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and 
 the needy from among men. 
 
 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with 
 a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he 
 speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his 
 fingers; frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth 
 mischief continually; he soweth discord. There- 
 fore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly 
 shall he be broken without remedy. 
 
 These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven 
 are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a 
 lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 
 an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet 
 that be swift in running to mischief, a false wit- 
 ness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth dis- 
 cord among brethren. The righteous is more 
 excellent than his neighbour; but the way of the 
 wicked seduceth them. 
 
 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an 
 eye for evil, neither desire thou his dainty meats, 
 for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. "Eat 
 and drink," saith he to thee; but his heart is not 
 with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten 
 shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. 
 
Who are Your Companions 3 3 
 
 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and 
 knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, discretion 
 shall preserve thee. Understanding shall keep 
 thee, to deliver thee from the way of the evil man , 
 from the man that speaketh froward things; who 
 leave the paths of righteousness, to walk in the 
 ways of darkness; who rejoice to do evil, and 
 delight in the frowardness of the wicked; whose 
 ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths; 
 to deliver thee from the strange woman, even 
 from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 
 which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and for- 
 getteth the covenant of her God. For her house 
 inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 
 None that go unto her return again, neither take 
 they hold of the paths of life. 
 
 Walk thou in the way of good men, and keep 
 the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall 
 dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in 
 it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the 
 earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of 
 it. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; 
 but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 GOLD AND DROSS IN HUMAN CHARACTER 
 
 ' I *HE Lord hath made all things for himself; 
 "^ yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 
 
 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomina- 
 tion to the Lord; though hand join in hand, he 
 shall not be unpunished. A man's pride shall 
 bring him low; but honour shall uphold the humble 
 in spirit. Pride goeth before destruction, and a 
 haughty spirit before a fall. Better is it to be 
 of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide 
 the spoil with the proud. He that is of a proud 
 heart stirreth up strife; but he that putteth his 
 trust in the Lord shall be made fat. Only by 
 pride cometh contention; but with the well ad- 
 vised is wisdom. Before destruction the heart 
 of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 
 
 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to 
 search their own glory is not glory. He that 
 hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that 
 is broken down, and without walls. Better is the 
 end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and 
 the patient in spirit is better than the proud in 
 spirit. Most men will proclaim every one his 
 own goodness; but a faithful man who can find.^ 
 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth 
 good, and sinneth not. As the fining pot for 
 
 34 
 
Gold and Dross in Human Character 35 
 
 silver, and the furnace for gold, so is a man to his 
 praise. The poor and the deceitful man meet 
 together; the Lord lighteneth both their eyes. 
 
 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but after- 
 wards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. A 
 wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the 
 upright, he directeth his way. Whoso boasteth 
 himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind 
 without rain. Wrath is cruel, and anger is out- 
 rageous; but who is able to stand before envy.^ 
 Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful 
 are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an 
 enemy are deceitful. The bloodthirsty hate the 
 upright; but the just seek his soul. 
 
 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes 
 of man are never satisfied. The backslider in 
 heart shall be filled with his own ways; but a 
 good man shall be satisfied from himself. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 DANGER SIGNALS FOR DANGEROUS PATHS 
 
 "IXT'ISDOM crieth without; she uttereth her 
 ' ^ voice in the streets. She crieth in the chief 
 place of concourse, in the openings of the 
 gates. In the city she uttereth her words, say- 
 ing: 
 
 "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplici- 
 ty.^ and the scorners delight in their scorning, and 
 fools hate knowledge.'' Turn you at my reproof; 
 behold I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will 
 make known my words unto you. Because I 
 have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out 
 my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set 
 at naught all my counsel, and would none of my 
 reproof, I will also laugh at your calamity, I will 
 mock when your fear cometh, when your fear 
 Cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh 
 as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh 
 upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I 
 will not answer; they shall seek me early, but 
 they shall not find me, for that they hated knowl- 
 edge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord. 
 They would none of my counsel — they despised 
 all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the 
 fruit of their own way, and be filled with their 
 own devices. For the turning away of the simple 
 shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall 
 destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me 
 36 
 
Danger Signals for Dangerous Paths 37 
 
 shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of 
 evil." 
 
 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any 
 person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. 
 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved; but he 
 that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. He 
 that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own 
 soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 
 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may 
 depart from hell beneath. He that covereth his 
 sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and 
 forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the 
 man that feareth alway; but he that hardeneth 
 his heart shall fall into mischief. His own iniqui- 
 ties shall take the wicked himself, and he shall 
 be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall 
 die without instruction; and in the greatness of 
 his folly he shall go astray. 
 
 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; 
 neither will he go unto the wise. He, that being 
 often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly 
 be destroyed, and that without remedy. There 
 is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the 
 end thereof are the ways of death. A prudent 
 man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but 
 the simple pass on, and are punished. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 beware! 
 
 TV/TY son, keep my words, and lay up my com- 
 '*-'-'■ mandments with thee. Keep my com- 
 mandments, and Hve; and my law as the 
 apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, 
 write them upon the table' of thine heart. Say 
 unto wisdom, "Thou art my sister;" and call under- 
 standing thy kinswoman: that they may keep 
 thee from the strange woman, from the stranger 
 which flattereth with her words. 
 
 For at the window of my house I looked through 
 my casement, and beheld among the simple ones; 
 I discerned among the youths, a young man void 
 of understanding, passing through the street near 
 her corner; and he went the way to her house, 
 in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and 
 dark night. And, behold, there met him a woman 
 with the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart. 
 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in 
 her house.) Now is she without, now in the 
 streets, and lieth in wait at every corner. 
 
 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with 
 an impudent face said unto him: "I have peace 
 offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. 
 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, deligently 
 to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have 
 decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with 
 
 -.8 
 
Beware 39 
 
 carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have 
 perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinna- 
 mon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the 
 morning; let us solace ourselves with loves. For 
 the goodman is not at home; he is gone a long 
 journey. He hath taken a bag of money with 
 him, and will come home at the day appointed." 
 With her much fair speech she caused him to 
 yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 
 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth 
 to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of 
 the stocks, till a dart strike through his liver; as 
 a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not 
 that it is for his life. 
 
 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, 
 and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not 
 thy heart decline to her ways, go not astray in 
 her paths. For she hast cast down many wound- 
 ed; yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 
 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the 
 chambers of death. 
 
 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and 
 forsake not the law of thy mother; bind them 
 continually upon thine heart, and tie them about 
 thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; 
 when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when 
 thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the 
 commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; 
 and reproofs of instruction are the way of life, to 
 keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery 
 
40 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not 
 after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her 
 take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a 
 whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of 
 bread; and the adulteress will hunt for the precious 
 life. 
 
 A foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple, 
 and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the 
 door of her house, on a seat in the high places of 
 the city, to call passengers who go right on their 
 ways. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; 
 and as for him that wanteth understanding, she 
 saith to him, "Stolen waters are sweet, and bread 
 eaten in secret is pleasant." But he knoweth 
 not that the dead are there; and that her guests 
 are in the depths of hell. Such is the way of an 
 adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her 
 mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 SOME STRIKING CONTRASTS 
 
 A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord; 
 ■^*- but a man of wicked devices will He con- 
 demn. 
 A man shall not be established by wickedness; 
 but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 
 
 The wicked desireth the net of evil men; but 
 the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 
 
 The wicked is snared by the transgression of 
 his lips; but the just shall come out of trouble. 
 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; 
 but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. The 
 wicked worketh a deceitful work; but to him 
 that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 
 As righteousness tendeth to life; so he that pur- 
 sueth evil pursueth it to his own death. They 
 that are of a froward heart are abomination to the 
 Lord; but such as are upright in their way are 
 his delight. 
 
 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall 
 not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous 
 shall be delivered. It is as sport to a fool to do 
 mischief; but a man of understanding hath wis- 
 dom. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon 
 him; but the desire of the righteous shall be 
 granted. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the 
 
 41 
 
42 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 wicked no more; but the righteous is an ever- 
 lasting foundation. The desire of the righteous 
 is only good; but the expectation of the wicked 
 is wrath. The fear of the Lord prolongeth days; 
 but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 
 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness; but 
 the expectation of the wicked shall perish. 
 
 The way of the Lord is strength to the upright; 
 but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 
 The righteous shall never be removed; but the 
 wicked shall not inhabit the earth. The sacrifice 
 of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; but 
 the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way 
 of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord; 
 but he loveth him that followeth after righteous- 
 ness. A righteous man hateth lying; but a 
 wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 
 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the 
 way; but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 
 
 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and 
 his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it 
 shall be well with them that fear God, which fear 
 before him. But it shall not be well with the 
 wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which 
 are as a shadov/, because he feareth not before 
 God. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; 
 and he that winneth souls is wise. Behold, the 
 righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much 
 more the wicked and the sinner. 
 
Some Striking Contrasts 43 
 
 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but 
 the righteous are bold as a lion. When pride 
 Cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly 
 is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall 
 guide them ; but the perverseness of transgressors 
 shall destroy them. Fret not thyself because of 
 evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; 
 for there shall be no reward to the evil man; the 
 candle of the wicked shall be put out. 
 
 The righteous eateth to the satisfaction of his 
 soul; but the belly of the wicked shall want. 
 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his 
 way; but the wicked shall fall by his own wicked- 
 ness. The righteousness of the upright shall 
 deliver them; but transgressors shall be taken 
 in their own naughtiness. When a wicked man 
 di'dth, his expectation shall perish; and the hope 
 of unjust men perisheth. The righteous is de- 
 livered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in 
 his stead. 
 
 The Lord is far from the wicked; but he heareth 
 the prayer of the righteous. The light of the 
 righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked 
 shall be put out. There shall no evil happen to 
 the just; but the vv^icked shall be filled with mis- 
 chief. The highway of the upright is to depart 
 from evil; he that keepeth his way preserveth his 
 soul. 
 
 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; 
 but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. 
 
44 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 The righteous man wisely considereth the house 
 of the wicked; but God overthroweth the wicked 
 for their wickedness. The wicked are overthrown 
 and are not; but the house of the righteous 
 shall stand. The righteous considereth the cause 
 of the poor; but the wicked regardeth not to 
 know it. A righteous man regardeth the life of 
 his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked 
 are cruel. In the transgression of an evil man 
 there is a snare; but the righteous doth sing and 
 rejoice. 
 
 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked 
 at the gates of the righteous. The wicked shall 
 be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor 
 for the upright. The wicked is driven away in 
 his wickedness; but the righteous hath hope in his 
 death. Blessings are upon the head of the just; 
 but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 
 The memory of the just is blessed; but the name 
 of the wicked shall rot. In the way of righteous- 
 ness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is 
 no death. 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 THE PRINCIPAL THING 
 
 \X7H0 is the wise man? and who knoweth the 
 interpretation of a thing? A man's wis- 
 dom maketh his face to shine, and the 
 boldness of his face shall be changed. Happy is 
 the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that 
 getteth understanding. For the merchandise of 
 it is better than the merchandise of silver, and 
 the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more 
 precious than rubies, and all the things thou 
 canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 
 
 Length of days is in her right hand; and in 
 her left hand, riches and honour. Her ways are 
 ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 
 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon 
 her; and happy is every one that retaineth her. 
 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; 
 by understanding hath he established the heavens. 
 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and 
 the clouds drop down the dew. 
 
 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; 
 neither decline from the words of my mouth. 
 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee; love 
 her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the 
 principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with 
 all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, 
 and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee 
 to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She 
 
 45 
 
46 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; 
 a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 
 
 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and 
 the years of thy life shall be many. I have 
 taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led 
 thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps 
 shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, 
 thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of in- 
 struction; let her not go; keep her; for she is thy 
 life. 
 
 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by 
 understanding it is established; and by knowledge 
 shall the chambers be filled with all precious and 
 pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a 
 man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by 
 wise counsel thou shalt make thy war; and in 
 multitude of counsellors there is safety. Wisdom 
 is too high for a fool; he openeth not his mouth 
 in the gate. 
 
 A man shall be commended according to his 
 wisdom; but he that is of a perverse heart shall 
 be despised. Whoso despiseth the word shall be 
 destroyed; but he that feareth the commandment 
 shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a foun- 
 tain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 
 Good understanding giveth favour; but the way 
 of transgressors is hard. Every prudent man 
 dealeth with knowledge; but a fool layeth open his 
 folly. 
 
The Principal Thing 47 
 
 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; 
 and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste; 
 so shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy 
 soul. When thou hast found it, then there shall 
 be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut 
 off. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; 
 and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. The 
 heart of him that hath understanding seeketh 
 knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on 
 foolishness. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and 
 iindeth it not, but knowledge is easy unto him 
 that understandeth. Folly is joy to him that is 
 destitute of wisdom; but a man of understanding 
 walketh uprightly. 
 
 Wisdom is good with an inheritance; and by it 
 there is profit to them that see the sun. For 
 wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence; but 
 the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom 
 giveth life to them that have it. Buy the truth, 
 and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and 
 understanding. He that getteth wisdom loveth 
 his own soul. He that keepeth understanding 
 shall find good. How much better is it to get 
 wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather 
 to be chosen than silver! 
 
 The wise in heart shall be called prudent; and 
 the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 
 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him 
 that hath it; but the instruction of the fools is 
 folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, 
 and addeth learning to his lips. 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 KNOWLEDGE IS POWER 
 
 T^OTH not wisdom cry? and understanding put 
 ^^ forth her voice? She standeth in the top 
 of high places, by the way in the places 
 of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry 
 of the city, at the coming in at the doors: 
 
 "Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to 
 the sons of man, O ye simple, understand wis- 
 dom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding 
 heart. Hear; for I shall speak of excellent things; 
 and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 
 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness 
 is an abomination to my lips. 
 
 "All the words of my mouth are in righteous- 
 ness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 
 They are all plain to him that understandeth, 
 and right to them that find knowledge. Receive 
 my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge 
 rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better 
 than rubies; and all the things that may be de- 
 sired are not to be compared to it. " 
 
 "I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out 
 knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the 
 Lord is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and 
 the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 
 
 48 
 
Knowledge is Power 49 
 
 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom. I am un- 
 derstanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, 
 and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, 
 and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 
 
 "I love them that love me; and those that seek 
 me early shall find me. Riches and honour are 
 with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 
 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; 
 and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the 
 way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of 
 judgment, that I may cause those that love me 
 to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. " 
 
 "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of 
 His way, before His works of old. I was set up 
 from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the 
 earth was. When there were no depths, I was 
 brought forth; when there were no fountains 
 abounding with water. Before the mountains 
 were settled, before the hills was I brought forth, 
 while as yet He had not made the earth, nor the 
 fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the 
 world. 
 
 "When He prepared the heavens, I was there; 
 when He set a compass upon the face of the depth; 
 when He established the clouds above; when He 
 strengthened the fountains of the deep; when He 
 gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should 
 not pass His commandment; when He appointed 
 the foundations of the earth, then I was by Him, 
 as one brought up with Him. And I was daily 
 
50 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 His delight, rejoicing always before Him; rejoicing 
 in the habitable part ot His earth; and my delights 
 were with the sons of men. 
 
 "Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye child- 
 ren: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 
 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 
 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching 
 daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my 
 doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and 
 shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that 
 sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul; all 
 they that hate me love death." 
 
 The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall 
 be the promotion of fools. There is gold, and a 
 multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge 
 are a precious jewel. Apply thine heart unto 
 instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowl- 
 edge. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep 
 water; but a man of understanding will draw it 
 out. The man that wandereth out of the way of 
 understanding shall remain in the congregation 
 of the dead. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise 
 more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 
 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and 
 casteth down the strength of the confidence 
 thereof. 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES 
 
 /^AST thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt 
 ^*^ find it after many days. Give a portion to 
 seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest 
 not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the 
 clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves 
 upon the earth; and if the tree fall toward the 
 south, or toward the north, in the place where 
 the tree falleth, there it shall be. 
 
 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and 
 he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As 
 thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, 
 nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her 
 that is with child, even so thou knowest not the 
 works of God who maketh all. In the morning 
 sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not 
 thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall 
 prosper, either this or that, or whether they both 
 shall be alike good. 
 
 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the 
 vineyard of the man void of understanding; and 
 lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles 
 had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall 
 thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and con- 
 sidered it well; I looked upon it, and received 
 instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, 
 a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy 
 
 51 
 
52 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want 
 as an armed man. 
 
 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, 
 and be wise; which having no guide, overseer, or 
 ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and 
 gathereth her food in the harvest. How long 
 wilt thou sleep, O sluggard.-* When wilt thou 
 arise out of thy sleep .^ Yet a little sleep, a little 
 slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 
 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, 
 and thy want as an armed man. 
 
 The slothful man saith, "There is a lion in the 
 way; a lion is in the streets. " As the door turneth 
 upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. 
 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it 
 grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The 
 sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven 
 men that can render a reason. 
 
 There be four things which are little upon the 
 earth, but they are exceeding wise: the ants are a 
 people not strong, yet they prepare their meat' 
 in the summer; the conies are but a feeble folk, 
 yet they make their houses in the rocks; the 
 locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of 
 them by bands; the spider taketh hold with her 
 hands, and is in kings' palaces. He that is 
 despised, and hath a servant, is better than he 
 that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. 
 
Make Hay While the Sun Shines 53 
 
 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy 
 flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches 
 are not forever; and doth the crown endure to 
 every generation? The hay appeareth, and the 
 tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the 
 mountains are gathered. The lambs are for thy 
 clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 
 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy 
 food, for the food of thy household, and for the 
 maintenance of thy maidens. 
 
 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open 
 thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 
 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; 
 but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He 
 that gathereth in summer is a wise son; but he that 
 sleepeth in the harvest is a son that causeth 
 shame. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty 
 of bread; but he that followeth after vain persons 
 shall have poverty enough. He that tilleth his 
 land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that 
 followeth vain persons is void of understanding. 
 Much food is in the tillage of the poor; but there 
 is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 
 
 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; 
 and through idleness of the hands the house 
 droppeth through. The desire of the slothful 
 killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. The 
 slothful man roasteth not that which he took in 
 hunting; but the substance of a diligent man is 
 precious. The sluggard will not plow by reason 
 
54 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and 
 have nothing. 
 
 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, 
 I shall be slain in the streets. He also that is 
 slothful in his work is brother to him that is a 
 great waster. A slothful man hideth his hand 
 in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to 
 his mouth again. Slothfulness casteth into a 
 deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 
 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath noth- 
 ing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 
 
 He that laboureth, laboiireth for himself; for 
 his mouth craveth it of him. There is treasure 
 to be deisired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise; 
 but a foolish man spendeth it up. In all labour 
 there is profit; but the talk of the lips tendeth 
 only to penury. The hand of the diligent shall 
 bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute. 
 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plen- 
 teousness; but of every one that is hasty only 
 to want. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be 
 diminished; but he that gathereth by labour shall 
 increase. Moreover the profit of the earth is for 
 all; the king himself is served by the field. 
 
 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and 
 comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy 
 the good of his labour that he taketh under the 
 sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him; 
 for it is his portion. Every man also to whom 
 God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given 
 
Make Hay While the Sun Shines 55 
 
 him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, 
 and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 
 For he shall not much remember the days of his 
 life; because God answereth him in the joy of his 
 heart. 
 
 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with 
 thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor 
 knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither 
 thou goest. 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 A SHORT COURSE IN BUSINESS PRINCIPLES 
 
 nPWO are better than one; because they have 
 •*■ a good reward for their labour. For if they 
 fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe 
 to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath 
 not another to help him up. Again, if two lie 
 together, then they have heat: but how can one 
 be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, 
 two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is 
 not quickly broken. 
 
 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower 
 is servant to the lender. My son, if thou be 
 surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy 
 hand with a stranger, thou art snared with the 
 words of thy mouth; thou art taken with the 
 words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and 
 deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand 
 of thy friend: go, humble thyself, and make sure 
 thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor 
 slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a 
 roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird 
 from the hand of the fowler. 
 
 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or 
 of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast 
 nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed 
 from under thee? A man void of understanding 
 striketh hands, and becometh surety in the 
 
 56 
 
A Short Course in Business Principles 57 
 
 presence of his friend. Take his garment that is 
 surety for a stranger: and take pledge of him for 
 a strange woman. He that is surety for a stran- 
 ger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretyship 
 is sure. 
 
 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso 
 breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 
 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; 
 and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered 
 thereby. 
 
 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the 
 edge, then must he put to more strength: but 
 wisdom is profitable to direct. He that handleth 
 a matter wisely shall find good; and whoso trust- 
 eth in the Lord, happy is he. 
 
 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for 
 thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine 
 house. Seest thou a man diligent in his business.'' 
 he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand 
 before mean men. 
 
 The simple believeth every word: but the 
 prudent man looketh well to his going. A pru- 
 dent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: 
 but the simple pass on, and are punished. 
 
 A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all 
 the weights of the bag are his work. Divers 
 weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a 
 
58 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 false balance is not good. Divers weights, and 
 divers measures, both of them are alike abomina- 
 tion to the Lord. A false balance is abomination 
 to the Lord: but a just weight is His delight. It 
 is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when 
 he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 
 
 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of 
 trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of 
 joint. A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a 
 reward in the bosom strong wrath. A gift is as 
 a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; 
 whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. 
 
 The simple inherit folly; but the prudent are 
 crowned with knowledge. 
 
 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much 
 increase is by the strength of the ox. There is 
 that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is 
 that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth 
 to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat; 
 dnd he that watereth shall be watered also him- 
 self. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall 
 curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of 
 him that selleth it. He tha!t diligently seeketh 
 good procureth favour; but he that seeketh mis- 
 chief, it shall come unto him. Treasures of 
 wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness de- 
 livereth from death. The Lord will not suiTer 
 the soul of the righteous to famish; but he casteth 
 away the substance of the wicked. 
 
A Short Course in Business Principles 59 
 
 Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord, 
 and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy 
 navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the 
 Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits 
 of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled 
 with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with 
 new wine. The blessing of the Lord it maketh 
 rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 RICHES AND POVERTY 
 
 'T^HERE is an evil which I have seen under the 
 "*• sun, and it is common among men: A man 
 to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and 
 honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul 
 of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not 
 power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it. 
 This is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 
 
 If a man beget an hundred children, and live 
 many years, so that the days of his years be 
 many, and his soul be not filled with good, and 
 also that he have no burial; I say, that an untime- 
 ly birth is better than he. For he cometh in with 
 vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name 
 shall be covered with darkness. Moreover he 
 hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing. 
 This hath more rest than the other. Yea, though 
 he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he 
 seen no good. Do not all go to one place .^ All 
 the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the 
 appetite is not filled. For what hath the wise 
 more than the fool.^ What hath the poor, that 
 knoweth to walk before the living.'* Labour not 
 to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom. 
 
 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is 
 not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; 
 60 
 
Riches and Poverty 6i 
 
 they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. There 
 is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; 
 there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great 
 riches. 
 
 The ransom of a man's life are his riches; but 
 the poor heareth not rebuke. The poor is hated 
 even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath 
 many friends. Wealth maketh many friends; 
 but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 
 All the brethren of the poor do hate him; how 
 much more do his friends go far from him.^ He 
 pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting 
 to him. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich 
 answereth roughly. 
 
 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Mak- 
 er; and he that is glad at calamities shall not be 
 unpunished. He that oppresseth the poor to 
 increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, 
 shall surely come to want. Whoso stoppeth his 
 ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry him- 
 self, but shall not be heard. He that giveth unto 
 the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth his 
 eyes shall have many a curse. 
 
 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the 
 poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 
 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, 
 than he that is perverse in his ways, though he is 
 rich. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, 
 and as an high wall in his own conceit. He that 
 
62 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous 
 shall flourish as a branch. The rich man's wealth 
 is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is 
 their poverty. 
 
 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life; 
 the fruit of the wicked to sin. A faithful man 
 shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh 
 haste to be rich shall not be innocent. Evil pur- 
 sueth sinners; but to the righteous good shall be 
 repayed. A good man leaveth an inheritance to 
 his children's children; and the wealth of the 
 sinner is laid up for the just. 
 
 Two things have I required of thee; deny me 
 them not before I die: remove far from me vanity 
 and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed 
 me with food convenient for me, lest I be full, 
 and say, "Who is the Lord.'"' or lest I be poor, 
 and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 
 Better is a little with righteousness than great 
 revenues without right. Better is an handful 
 with quietness, than both the hands full with 
 travail and vexation of spirit. Riches profit not 
 in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth 
 from death. 
 
 The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is 
 the maker of them all. 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 
 don't be a hog 
 
 TP HE horseleach hath two daughters, crying, 
 -*• "Give, give," There are three things that 
 are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, 
 "It is enough": The grave; and the barren womb; 
 the earth that is not filled with water; and the 
 fire that saith not. It is enough. 
 
 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with 
 silver; nor he that loveth abundance with in- 
 crease. This is also vanity. When goods in- 
 crease, they are increased that eat them; and 
 what good is there to the owners thereof, saving 
 the beholding of them with their eyes.^ The 
 sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat 
 little or much; but the abundance of the rich will 
 not suffer him to sleep. 
 
 There is a sore trial which I have seen under 
 the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners there- 
 of to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil 
 travail; and he begetteth a son, and there is noth- 
 ing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother's 
 womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and 
 shall take nothing of his labour, which he may 
 carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore 
 evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go; 
 and what profit hath he that hath laboured for 
 the wind.'' All his days also he eateth in dark- 
 
 63 
 
64 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 ness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with 
 his sickness. 
 
 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a 
 vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 
 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them, 
 because they refuse to do judgment. Hast thou 
 found honey i* Eat so much as is sufficient for 
 thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 
 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and 
 considereth not that poverty shall come upon 
 him. He coveteth greedily all the day long; but 
 the righteous giveth and spareth not. He that 
 by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, 
 he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. 
 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the be- 
 ginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 
 
 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the 
 sun. There is one alone, and there is not a second; 
 yea, he hath neither child nor brother; yet there 
 is no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satis- 
 fied with riches; neither saith he, "For whom do 
 I labour, and bereave my soul of good.^" This 
 is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 
 
CHAPTER XX 
 
 don't be a fool 
 
 A S snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so 
 '^*- honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird 
 by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so 
 the curse causeless shall not come. 
 
 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a 
 rod for the fool's back. Answer not a fool ac- 
 cording to his folly, lest thou also be like unto 
 him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest 
 he be wise in his own conceit. 
 
 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a 
 fool, cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 
 The legs of the lame are not equal; so is a parable 
 in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a 
 stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a 
 fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a 
 drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 
 
 The great God that formed all things hath re- 
 warded the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. 
 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool re- 
 turneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in 
 his own conceit.'' — there is more hope of a fool 
 than of him. The crown of the wise is their 
 riches; but the foolishness of fools is folly. The 
 wise in heart will receive commandments; but a 
 
 65 
 
66 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 prating fool shall fall. He that walketh up- 
 rightly walketh surely; but he that perverteth 
 his ways shall be known. He that winketh with 
 the eye causeth sorrow; but a prating fool shall 
 fall. 
 
 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than 
 an hundred stripes into a fool. A wise man 
 feareth, and departeth from evil; but the fool 
 rageth, and is confident. Wisdom resteth in the 
 heart of him that hath understanding; but that 
 which is in the midst of fools is made known. 
 Speak not in the ears of a fool, for he shall despise 
 the wisdom of thy words. 
 
 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his 
 mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his 
 destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 
 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, 
 whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. The 
 way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that 
 hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. A fool's wrath 
 is presently known; but a prudent man covereth 
 shame. He that trusteth in his own heart is a 
 fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be de- 
 livered. 
 
 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth 
 his own flesh. A fool uttereth all his mind; but 
 a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. A prudent 
 man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of fools 
 proclaimeth foolishness. Wherefore is there a 
 
Dont be a Fool 67 
 
 price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing 
 he hath no heart to it? The wisdom of the pru- 
 dent is to understand his way; but the folly of 
 fools is deceit. Fools make a mock at sin; but 
 among the righteous there is favour. 
 
 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a 
 fool's wrath is heavier than them both. Let a 
 bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather 
 than a fool in his folly. Though thou shouldst 
 bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, 
 yet will not his foolishness depart from him. The 
 labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, 
 because he knoweth not how to go to the city. 
 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; 
 but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. 
 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; 
 and the father of a fool hath no joy. 
 
 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a 
 fool's heart at his left. Yea, also, when he that is 
 a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth 
 him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. 
 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary 
 to send forth a stinking savour; so doeth a little 
 folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and 
 honour. 
 
CHAPTER XXI 
 
 don't be a drunkard 
 
 npHE words of king Lemuel, the prophecy 
 "*■ that his mother taught him. What, my 
 son? And what, the son of my womb? 
 And what, the son of my vows? Give not thy 
 strength unto women, nor thy ways to that 
 which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O 
 Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for 
 princes strong drink: lest they drink, and forget 
 the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the 
 afflicted. When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, 
 consider diligently what is before thee. A man 
 given to appetite is as one who putteth a knife to 
 his throat. Be not desirous of his dainties; for 
 they are deceitful meat. He that loveth pleasure 
 shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil 
 shall not be rich. 
 
 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath 
 contentions? who hath babbling? who hath 
 wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 
 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to 
 seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine 
 when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the 
 cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last 
 itbiteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 
 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine 
 heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou 
 68 
 
Don't be a Drunkard 69 
 
 shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the 
 sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 
 "They have stricken me," shalt thou say, and 
 I was not sick; "they have beaten me," and I 
 felt it not. When shall I awake? I will seek it 
 yet again. 
 
 There is a way which seemeth right unto a 
 man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 
 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the 
 end of that mirth is heaviness. Be not a religious 
 fanatic; neither let learning make thee mad. 
 Why shouldest thou destroy thyself.^ Be not 
 over much wicked, neither be thou foolish; why 
 shouldest thou die before thy time: In short, 
 be temperate in all things. 
 
 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and 
 whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 
 
CHAPTER XXII 
 
 don't be a liar 
 
 A false witness shall not be unpu nished, and 
 *^ he that speaketh lies shall perish. A false 
 witness shall perish; but the man that hear- 
 eth speaketh constantly. A lying tongue hateth 
 those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering 
 mouth worketh ruin. Lying lips are abomina- 
 tion to the Lord; but they that deal truly are his 
 delight. The desire of a man is his kindness; 
 and a poor man is better than a liar. A wicked 
 doer giveth heed to false lips, but a liar giveth 
 ear to a naughty tongue. A false witness shall 
 not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies 
 shall not escape. A faithful witness will not lie; 
 but a false witness will utter lies. Every man 
 shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. 
 
 70 
 
CHAPTER XXIII 
 don't 
 
 ' I 'HERE be three things which are too wonder- 
 ■'' ful for me, yea, four which I know not: — 
 the way of an eagle in the air; the way of a 
 serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the 
 midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a 
 maid. 
 
 The lips of a strange woman drop as an honey- 
 comb, and her mouth is smoother than oil; but 
 her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as two- 
 edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her 
 steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldst pon- 
 der the path of life, her ways are moveable, that 
 thou canst not know them. Hear me now there- 
 fore, O ye children, and depart not from the 
 words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from 
 her, and come not nigh the door of her house; lest 
 thou give thine honour unto others, and thy 
 years unto the cruel; lest strangers be filled with 
 thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a 
 stranger; and thou mourn at the last, when thy 
 flesh and thy body are consumed, and say, "How 
 have I hated instruction, and my heart despised 
 reproof; and I have not obeyed the voice of my 
 teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that in- 
 structed me! I was almost in all evil in the 
 midst of the congregation and assembly. " 
 
 71 
 
72 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his 
 clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot 
 coals, and his feet not be burned? So is he that 
 goeth to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth 
 her shall not be innocent. Men do not despise a 
 thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is 
 hungry; but if he be found, he shall restore seven- 
 fold; he shall give all the substance of his house. 
 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman 
 lacketh understanding; he that doeth it destroy- 
 eth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall 
 he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 
 For jealousy is the rage of a man; therefore he will 
 not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not 
 regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, 
 though thou givest many gifts. The mouth of a 
 strange woman is a deep pit; he that is abhorred 
 of the Lord shall fall therein. 
 
 All this have I proved by wisdom: "I said, I 
 will be wise;" but it was far from me. That 
 which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find 
 it out. I applied mine heart to know, and to 
 search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason 
 of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, 
 even of foolishness and madness. I find more 
 bitter than death the woman, whose heart is 
 snares and nets, and her hands as bands. Whoso 
 pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner 
 shall be taken by her. 
 
Don't 73 
 
 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine 
 eyes observe my ways. For a whore is a deep 
 ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit. 
 She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth 
 the transgressors among men. 
 
CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 LET US GO TO CHURCH 
 
 T^EEP thy foot when thou goest to the house 
 ■*-^ of God, and be more ready to hear, than to 
 give the sacrifice of fools; for they consider 
 not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy 
 mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter 
 any thing before God. For God is in heaven, 
 and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be 
 few. For a dream cometh through the multitude 
 of business; and a fool's voice is known by multi- 
 tude of words. 
 
 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not 
 to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools. Pay 
 that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that 
 thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest 
 vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to 
 cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the 
 angel, that it was an angel. Wherefore should 
 God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work 
 of thine hands.'' For in the multitude of dreams 
 and many words there are also divers vanities; 
 but fear thou God. 
 
 Thorns and snares are in the way of the fro- 
 ward; he that keepeth his soul shall be far from 
 them. For man also knoweth not his time. As 
 the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the 
 birds that are caught in the snare, so are the sons 
 
 74 
 
Let Us Go to Church 75 
 
 of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth 
 suddenly upon them. The desire accompHshed 
 is sweet to the soul; but it is abomination to fools 
 to depart from evil. The eyes of the Lord are 
 in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 
 
 Consider the work of God; for who can make 
 that straight, which he hath made crooked.^ He 
 that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord; 
 but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 
 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the right- 
 eous runneth into it, and is safe; The fear of the 
 Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the 
 snares of death. Surely he scorneth the scorners; 
 but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 
 
 *The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than 
 all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are 
 spoken of thefe, O city of God. And of Zion it 
 shall be said: "This and that man was born in 
 her; and the Highest Himself shall establish her. 
 The Lord shall count when He writeth up the 
 people that this man was born there; as well the 
 singers as the players on instruments shall be 
 there. All my springs are in thee. 
 
 I was glad when they said unto me, "Let us 
 go into the house of the Lord," whither the 
 people go up, the people of the Lord, unto the 
 testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name 
 of the Lord. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; 
 they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be with- 
 in thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces. 
 
 *Quotations from the Psalms. 
 
76 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 For my brethren and companion's sake I will now 
 say, "Peace be within thee." Because of the 
 house of the Lord I will seek thy good. 
 
 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will 
 I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the 
 Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty 
 of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. 
 
CHAPTER XXV 
 
 THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH 
 
 npHE preparations of the heart in man, and the 
 ■*■ answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. 
 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth right- 
 eousness; but a false witness deceit. There is 
 that speaketh Hke the piercings of a sword; but 
 the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth 
 shall be established for ever; but a lying tonguea 
 is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of 
 them that imagine evil; but to the counsellors of 
 peace is joy. 
 
 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruc- 
 tion; but he that refuseth reproof erreth. He 
 that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that 
 uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude 
 of words there wanteth not sin; but he that 
 refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the 
 just is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is 
 little worth. The lips of the righteous feed 
 many; but fools die for want of wisdom. 
 
 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit 
 of his mouth; and with the Increase of his lips 
 shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power 
 of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the 
 fruit thereof. The mouth of a righteous man is 
 a well of life; but violence covereth the mouth of 
 
78 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 the wicked. Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love 
 covereth all sins. 
 
 In the lips of him that hath understanding, 
 wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him 
 that is void of understanding. Wise men lay 
 up knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish is 
 near destruction. Surely the serpent will bite 
 without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. 
 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; 
 but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 
 The beginning of the words of his mouth is fool- 
 ishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous 
 madness. A fool also is full of words. A man 
 cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after 
 him, who can tell him .'' 
 
 He that hath a f reward heart findeth no good; 
 and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into 
 mischief. A true witness delivereth souls; but a 
 deceitful witness speaketh lies. The lips of the 
 wise disperse knowledge; but the heart of the 
 foolish doeth not so. The mouth of the just 
 bringeth forth wisdom; but the froward tongue 
 shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know 
 what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked 
 speaketh f rowardness. The heart of the righteou s 
 studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked 
 poureth out evil things. The tongue of the wise 
 useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of fools 
 poureth out foolishness. A wholesome tongue is 
 a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breach 
 
The Words of My Mouth 79 
 
 in the spirit. In the mouth of the foolish is a 
 rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall pre- 
 serve them. A man shall be satisfied with good 
 by the fruit of his mouth; and the recompence of 
 a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. 
 
 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; 
 but he that repeated a matter separateth very 
 friends. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his 
 words.'' there is more hope of a fool than of him. 
 An ungodly man diggeth up evil; and in his lips 
 there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth 
 strife; and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 
 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for 
 blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver 
 them. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his 
 mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat 
 violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth 
 his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have 
 destruction. 
 
 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and 
 they love him that speaketh right. Better is the 
 poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that 
 is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. The words 
 of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the 
 wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. A man 
 hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word 
 spoken in due season — how good is it! By long 
 forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue 
 breaketh the bone. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI 
 
 THE MEDITATIONS OF MY HEART 
 
 ' I 'HE hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord 
 ■^ hath made even both of them. The fining 
 pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; 
 but the Lord trieth the hearts. He that loveth 
 pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips, the 
 king shall be his friend. The thoughts of the 
 righteous are right; but the counsels of the wicked 
 are deceit. The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; 
 but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 
 
 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, 
 searching all the inward parts of the heart. All 
 the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but 
 the Lord weigheth the spirits. Commit thy 
 works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be 
 established. 
 
 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and 
 layeth up deceit within him. When he speaketh 
 fair, believe him not, for there are seven abomina- 
 tions in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by 
 deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the 
 whole congregation. 
 
 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thy- 
 self, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand 
 upon thy mouth. The sacrifice of the wicked is 
 80 
 
The Meditations of My Heart 8i 
 
 abomination; how much more, when he bringeth 
 it with a wicked mind? The thoughts of the 
 wicked are an abomination to the Lord; but the 
 words of the pure are pleasant words. 
 
 Hell and destruction are before the Lord; how 
 much more then the hearts of the children of 
 men? He that deviseth to do evil shall be called 
 a mischievous person. The thought of foolish- 
 ness is sin; and the scorner is an abomination to 
 men. Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; 
 and curse not the rich in thy bed chamber; for a 
 bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that 
 which hath wings shall tell the matter. There 
 are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless 
 the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. 
 
 Who can say, I have made my heart pure from 
 
 my sm 
 
CHAPTER XXVII 
 
 WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? 
 
 /^INTMENT and perfume rejoice the heart, 
 ^^ so does the sweetness of a man's friend by 
 hearty counsel. Thine own friend, and thy 
 father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy 
 brother's house in the day of thy calamity. For 
 better is a neighbour that is near than a brother 
 far off. As in water face answereth to face, so 
 the heart of man to man. Withdraw thy foot 
 from thy neighbour's house, lest he be weary of 
 thee, and so hate thee. A man that beareth 
 false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and 
 a sword, and a sharp arrow. 
 
 Withhold not good from them to whom it is 
 due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 
 Say not unto thy neighbour, "I go and come 
 again, and tomorrow I will give," when thou 
 hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy 
 neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 
 
 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know 
 not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neigh- 
 bbur hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause 
 with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a 
 secret to another, lest he that heareth it put thee 
 to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. A 
 brother) offended is harder to be won than a strong 
 82 
 
Who is My Neighbor? 83 
 
 city; and their contentions are like the bars of a 
 castle. 
 
 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but 
 he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 
 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and 
 truth shall be to them that devise good. Whoso 
 rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart 
 from his house. The beginning of strife is as 
 when one letteth out water; therefore leave off 
 contention, before it be meddled with. He that 
 is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour; but 
 a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 
 
 A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is 
 of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. An 
 hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neigh- 
 bour; but through knowledge shall the just be 
 delivered. A violent man enticeth his neigh- 
 bour, and leadeth him into the way that is not 
 good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward 
 things; moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. 
 He loveth transgression that loveth strife; and 
 he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. 
 
 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, 
 rising early In the morning, it shall be counted a 
 curse to him. A man that flattereth his neigh- 
 bour spreadeth a net for his feet. Be not a 
 witness against thy neighbour without cause; 
 and deceive not with thy lips. The soul of the 
 wicked deslreth evil; his neighbour findeth no 
 favour In his eyes. 
 
84 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 Again, I considered all travail, and every right 
 work, that for this a man is envied of his neigh- 
 bour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 
 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the 
 countenance of his friend. A man that hath 
 friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a 
 friend that sticketh closer than a brother. 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII . 
 
 SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO WRATH 
 
 A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous 
 *^ words stir up anger. Surely the churning of 
 milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing 
 of the nose bringeth forth blood; so the forcing of 
 wrath bringeth forth strife. An angry man 
 stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth 
 in transgression. A wrathful man stirreth up 
 strife; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth 
 strife. The discretion of a man deferreth his 
 anger; and it is his glory to pass over a trans- 
 gression. Make no friendship with an angry 
 man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go, 
 lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy 
 soul. 
 
 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for 
 anger resteth in the bosom of fools. He that is 
 slow to wrath is of great understanding; but he 
 that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. He that 
 soweth iniquity shall reap vanity, and the rod of 
 his anger shall fail. A man of great wrath shall 
 suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him, yet 
 thou must do it again. He that is soon angry 
 dealeth foolishly; and a man of wicked devices is 
 hated. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, 
 who dealeth in proud wrath. 
 
 He that is slow to anger is better than the 
 mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that 
 taketh a city. Pleasant words are as an honey- 
 comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 
 
 85 
 
CHAPTER XXIX 
 
 MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS 
 
 ' I 'HROUGH desire a man, having separated 
 ■■■ himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all 
 wisdom. A fool hath no delight in under- 
 standing, but that his heart may discover itself. 
 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also con- 
 tempt, and with ignominy reproach. He that 
 passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging 
 not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the 
 ears. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, 
 arrows, and death, so is the man that deceiveth 
 his neighbour, and saith, — "Am I not in sport?" 
 
 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out; so 
 where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 
 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; 
 so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The 
 words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go 
 down into the innermost parts of the heart. 
 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a pot- 
 sherd covered with silver dross. 
 
 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is 
 counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is 
 esteemed a man of understanding. He that 
 goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; 
 therefore meddle not with him that flattereth 
 with his lips. It is an honour for a man to cease 
 from strife; but every fool will be meddling. The 
 86 
 
Mind Your Ozvn Business 87 
 
 north wind driveth away rain; so doth an angry 
 countenance a backbiting tongue. The words of 
 a talebearer are indeed as wounds, and they go 
 down even into the innermost parts of the heart. 
 He that answereth a matter before he heareth 
 it, it is folly and shame unto him, but whoso 
 keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his 
 soul from troubles. 
 
CHAPTER XXX 
 
 KINGS AND THOSE IN AUTHORITY 
 
 * I *HE king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, 
 "*■ as the rivers of water; he turneth it whither- 
 soever he will. Every way of a man is 
 right in his own eyes; but the Lord pondereth 
 the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more 
 acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. An high 
 look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the 
 wicked, is sin. 
 
 I counsel thee to keep the king's command- 
 ment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be 
 not hasty to go out of his sight; stand not in an 
 evil thing for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 
 Where the word of a king is, there is power; and 
 who may say unto him: "What doest thou.^" 
 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no 
 evil thing; and a wise man's heart discerneth 
 both time and judgment. 
 
 There be three things which go well, yea, four 
 are comely in going: a lion which is strongest 
 among beasts, and turneth not away for any; a 
 greyhound; and an he goat also; and a king, 
 against whom there is no rising up. It is the 
 glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honour 
 of kings is to search out a matter. The heaven 
 for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart 
 
Kings and Those in Authority 89 
 
 of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross 
 from the silver, and there shall come forth a 
 vessel for the finer. Take away the wicked from 
 before the king, and his throne shall be established 
 in righteousness. 
 
 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion; 
 whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against 
 his own soul. Mercy and truth preserve the 
 king; and his throne is upholden by mercy. In 
 the multitude of people is the king's honour; but 
 in the want of people is the destruction of the 
 prince. The king's wrath is as the roaring of a 
 lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 
 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth 
 the wheel over them. 
 
 It is an abomination to kings to commit wick- 
 edness; for the throne is established by righteous- 
 ness. Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a 
 child, and thy princes eat till the morning! 
 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the 
 son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, 
 for strength, and not for drunkenness! Better 
 is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish 
 king, who will no more be admonished. For out 
 of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that 
 is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 
 
 Excellent speech becometh not a fool; much 
 less do lying lips a prince. The prince that 
 wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor; 
 
90 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his 
 days. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, 
 his throne shall be established forever. A divine 
 sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth trans- 
 gresseth not in judgment. 
 
 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment 
 scattereth away all evil with his eyes. The wrath 
 of a king is as messengers of death; but a wise 
 man will pacify it. In the light of the king's 
 countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of 
 the latter rain. 
 
 Without counsel purposes are disappointed; 
 but in the multitude of counsellors they are 
 established. Every purpose is established by 
 counsel; but with good advice make war. A 
 wicked messenger falleth into mischief; but a 
 faithful ambassador is health. When the wicked 
 rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, 
 the righteous increase. Righteousness exalteth 
 a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. If 
 a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. 
 
 He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find 
 more favour than he that flattereth with the 
 tongue. It is joy to the just to do judgment; but 
 destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 
 When the righteous are in authority, the people 
 rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the 
 people mourn. 
 
Kings and Those in Authority 91 
 
 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of 
 all such as are appointed to destruction. Open 
 thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the 
 cause of the poor and needy. It is not good to 
 accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow 
 the righteous in judgment. Also to punish the 
 just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. 
 
 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; 
 and reprove one that hath understanding, and he 
 will understand knowledge. When the scorner 
 is punished, the simple is made wise; and when 
 the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. 
 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; 
 yea, strife and reproach shall cease. An ungodly 
 witness scorneth judgment; and the mouth of the 
 wicked devoureth iniquity. Judgments are pre- 
 pared for scorners, and stripes for the back of 
 fools. An evil man seeketh only rebellion; there- 
 fore, a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 
 
 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the 
 law, even his prayer shall be an abomination. 
 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth 
 between the mighty. They that forsake the law 
 praise the wicked; but such as keep the law con- 
 tend with them. Evil men understand not judg- 
 ment; but they that seek the Lord understand all 
 things. The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, 
 and he overthroweth the words of the transgres- 
 sor. 
 
 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that 
 
92 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 condemneth the just, even they both are abomina- 
 tion to the Lord. To have respect of persons is 
 not good; for. for a piece of bread that man will 
 transgress. The fear of man bringeth a snare; 
 but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be 
 safe. Many seek the ruler's favour; but every 
 man's judgment cometh from the Lord. An 
 unjust man is an abomination to the just; and he 
 that is upright in the way is abomination to the 
 wicked. 
 
 These things also belong to the wise. It is 
 not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 
 He that saith unto the wicked: "Thou art right- 
 eous," him shall the people curse; nations shall 
 abhor him. But to him that rebuke him shall 
 be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon 
 them. 
 
 So I returned, and considered all the oppres- 
 sions that are done under the sun; and behold the 
 tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no 
 comforter; and on the side of their oppressors 
 there was power; but they had no comforter. 
 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already 
 dead more than the living which are yet alive. 
 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not 
 yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is 
 done under the sun. 
 
CHAPTER XXXI 
 
 ARE YOU A POLITICIAN? 
 
 A LL this have I seen, and appHed my heart 
 ^^^ unto every work that is done under the sun. 
 There is a time wherein one man ruleth over 
 another to his own hurt. And so I saw the wicked 
 buried, who had come and gone from the place of 
 the holy, and they were forgotten in the city 
 where they had so done. This is also vanity. 
 Because sentence against an evil work is not 
 executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons 
 of men is fully set in them to do evil. By mercy 
 and truth iniquity is purged; and by fear of the 
 Lord men depart from evil. When a man's ways 
 please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to 
 be at peace with him. 
 
 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and 
 violent perverting of judgment and justice in a 
 province, marvel not at the matter; for he that 
 is higher than the highest regardeth; and there 
 be higher than they. In the house of the right- 
 eous there is much treasure; but in the revenues 
 of the wicked is trouble. When the wicked are 
 multiplied, transgression increaseth; but the 
 righteous shall see their fall. As a roaring lion, 
 and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the 
 poor people. Where no counsel is, the people 
 fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is 
 
 93 
 
94 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 safety. For the transgression of a land many 
 are the princes thereof; but by a man of under- 
 standing and knowledge the state thereof shall 
 be prolonged. Scornful men bring a city into a 
 snare; but wise men turn away wrath. A right- 
 eous man falling down before the wicked is as a 
 troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 
 
 A feast is made for laughtei, and wine maketh 
 merry; but money answereth all things. Many 
 will intreat the favour of the prince; and every 
 man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 
 
 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom 
 to pervert the ways of judgment. The king by 
 judgment establisheth the land; but he that 
 receiveth bribes overthroweth it. Surely op- 
 pression maketh a wise man mad; and a bribe 
 destroyeth the heart. A man's gift maketh room 
 for him, and bringeth him before great men. He 
 that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his 
 neighbour cometh and searcheth him. He that 
 is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he 
 that hateth bribes shall live. 
 
 Let another man praise thee, and not thine 
 own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. 
 He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and 
 a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 
 It is an snare to the man who devoureth that 
 which is holy, and afterwards vows to make en- 
 quiry. Where there is no vision, the people 
 perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 
 
Are You a Politician 95 
 
 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, 
 and it seemed great unto me: There was a Httle 
 city, and a few men within it; and there came a 
 great king against it, and besieged it, and built 
 great bulwarks against it. Now there was found 
 in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom 
 delivered the city; yet no man remembered that 
 same poor man. Then said I, "Wisdom is better 
 than strength; nevertheless the poor man's wis- 
 dom is despised, and his words are not heard. 
 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more 
 than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 
 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one 
 sinner destroyeth much good." 
 
 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city 
 rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is 
 shouting. By the blessing of the upright the 
 city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth 
 of the wicked. If the spirit of the ruler rise up 
 against thee, leave not thy purpose; for yielding 
 pacifieth great offences. There is an evil which 
 I have seen under the sun, as an error which pro- 
 ceedeth from the ruler. 
 
 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in 
 low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and 
 princes walking as servants upon the earth. Put 
 not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and 
 stand not in the place of great men. For better 
 it is that it be said unto thee, "Come up hither;" 
 than that thou shouldest be put lower in the 
 
96 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. 
 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great 
 glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. 
 
 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the 
 race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the 
 strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet 
 riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour 
 to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth 
 to them all. 
 
CHAPTER XXXII 
 
 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS 
 
 TT is better to go to the house of mourning, 
 ■■• than to go to the house of feasting; for that 
 is the end of all men; and the living will lay 
 it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter; 
 for by the sadness of the countenance the heart 
 is made better. The heart of the wise is in the 
 house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the 
 house of mirth. In the day of prosperity be 
 joyful, but in the day of adversity consider. 
 God also hath set the one over against the other, 
 to the end that man should find nothing after 
 him. 
 
 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil; 
 so do stripes the inward parts of the heart. My 
 son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; 
 neither be weary of his corrections. A friend 
 loveth at all times, and a brother is born for ad- 
 versity. For whom the Lord loveth he correct- 
 eth; even as a father the son in whom he de- 
 lighteth. 
 
 As he that taketh away a garment in cold 
 weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that 
 singeth songs to an heavy heart. The heart 
 knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth 
 not intermeddle with his joy. If thou faint in 
 the day of adversity, thy strength is small. The 
 
 97 
 
98 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; and a good 
 report maketh the bones fat. 
 
 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing 
 it is for the eyes to behold the sun. Hope de- 
 ferred maketh the heart sick; but when the desire 
 Cometh, it is a tree of life. All the days of the 
 afflicted are evil; but he that is of a merry heart 
 hath a continual feast. A merry heart doeth 
 good like medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the 
 bones. A merry heart maketh a cheerful coun- 
 tenance; but by sorrow of the heart the spirit 
 is broken. 
 
 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: 
 There is a just man that perisheth in his right- 
 eousness, and there is a wicked man that pro- 
 longeth his life in his wickedness. But if a man 
 live many years, and rejoice in them all, yet let 
 him remember the days of darkness; for they 
 shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. 
 
 There is a mystery which is seen upon the earth; 
 that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth 
 according to the work of the wicked; again, there 
 be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according 
 to the work of the righteous. I said that this 
 also is a mystery. Then I commended cheerful- 
 ness, because a man hath no better thing under 
 the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be 
 merry; for that shall abide with him of his labour, 
 all the days of his life, which God giveth him 
 under the sun. They give strong drink unto him 
 that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that 
 
Lights and Shadows 99 
 
 be of heavy hearts, and say : "Let him drink, and 
 forget his poverty, and remember his misery no 
 more." This also is vanity. Though heaviness 
 in the heart of man maketh it stoop; a good word 
 maketh it glad. 
 
CHAPTER XXXIII 
 
 VENGEANCE IS MINE 
 
 CAY not wait, O wicked man, against the 
 ^ dwelling of the righteous. Spoil not his 
 resting place, for a just man falleth seven 
 times, and riseth up again; but the wicked shall 
 fall into mischief. Rejoice not when thine enemy 
 falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he 
 stumbleth, lest the Lord see it, and it displease 
 him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 
 
 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have 
 done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, 
 and choose none of his ways. For the froward 
 is abomination to the Lord; but his secret is with 
 the righteous. If thou forbear to deliver them 
 that are drawn unto death, and those that are 
 ready to be slain; if thou sayest, "Behold, we 
 knew it not;" doth not he that pondereth the 
 heart consider it.^ And he that keepeth thy 
 soul, doth he not know it.f* And shall not he 
 render to every man according to his works .f* 
 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an 
 evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit; 
 but the upright shall have good things in posses- 
 sion. 
 
 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not 
 into the fields of the fatherless; for their redeemer 
 lOO 
 
Vengeance is Mine loi 
 
 is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee. 
 Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither 
 oppress the afflicted in the law. For the Lord 
 will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those 
 that spoiled them. He that oppresseth the poor 
 reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth 
 him hath mercy on the poor. He that hath pity 
 upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that 
 which he hath given will he pay him again. A 
 poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweep- 
 ing rain which leaveth no food. 
 
 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; 
 for he giveth of his bread to the poor. He that 
 followeth after righteousness and mercy iindeth 
 life, righteousness and honour. Say not thou, 
 "I will recompense evil;" but wait on the Lord, 
 and he shall save thee. Whoso diggeth a pit 
 shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it 
 will return upon him. Say not, "I will do so to 
 him as he hath done to me: I will render to the 
 man according to his work." If thine enemy be 
 hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, 
 give him water to drink; for thou shalt heap coals 
 of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward 
 thee. 
 
CHAPTER XXXIV 
 
 LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS 
 
 BOAST not thyself of tomorrow; for thou 
 knowest not what a day may bring forth. 
 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of 
 this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand; 
 for he that feareth God shall come forth of them 
 all. Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a 
 man then understand his own way? A man's 
 heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his 
 steps. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole 
 disposing thereof is of the Lord. 
 
 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it 
 is not good; but he that hasteth with his feet 
 sinneth. The foolishness of man perverteth his 
 way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord. 
 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel 
 against the Lord. The horse is prepared against 
 the day of battle; but safety is of the Lord. The 
 way of the slothful man is an hedge of thorns; 
 but the way of the righteous is made plain. 
 
 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and 
 lean not unto thine own understanding. In all 
 thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct 
 thy paths. 
 
 1 02 
 
CHAPTER XXXV 
 
 SUNSET AND EVENING STAR 
 
 T ET US hear the conclusion of the whole mat- 
 -*— ' ter: Fear God, and keep His commandments; 
 for this is the whole duty of man. For God 
 shall bring every work into judgment, with every 
 secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be 
 evil. There is no man that hath power over the 
 spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power 
 in the day of death; and there is no discharge in 
 that war. Neither shall wickedness deliver those 
 that are given to it. Say not thou, "What is 
 the cause that the former days were better than 
 these .^" For thou dost not enquire wisely con- 
 cerning this. 
 
 A good name is better than precious ointment; 
 and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 
 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found 
 in the way of righteousness. 
 
 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy 
 youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years 
 draw nigh, when thou shalt say, "I have no 
 pleasure in them;" while the sun, or the light, 
 or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor 
 the clouds return after the rain; as in the day 
 when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and 
 the strong men shall bow themselves, and the 
 103 
 
104 Golden Words from the Book of Wisdom 
 
 grinders cease because they are few, and those 
 that look out of the windows be darkened, and 
 the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the 
 sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up 
 at the voice of the bird, and all of the daughters 
 of musick shall be brought low; also when they 
 shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears 
 shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall 
 flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, 
 and desire shall fail: because a man goeth to his 
 long home, and the mourners go about the streets; 
 or when the silver cord be loosed, or the golden 
 bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the 
 fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 
 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; 
 and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 
 Then shall the day dawn and the shadows flee 
 away. 
 
Princeton Theological Seminary Libraries 
 
 1 1012 01197 0623 
 
 DATE DUE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 HIGHSMITH #45115