CONVERSATION. "He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. "There is that speaketh like 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 tongue is but for a moment. "Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life. "Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that hath no understanding: beware of him, lest thou have trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries: depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be disquieted with madness. "What is heavier than lead? and what is the name thereof, but a fool? "Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear than a man without understanding. "As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking: so the heart that is stablished by advised counsel shall fear at no time. "A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plastering on the wall of a gallery. "Pales set on an high place will never stand against the wind so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear." REPENTANCE. "He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall: and he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew her knowledge. "Whoso casteth a stone at the birds frayeth them away: and he that upbraideth his friend breaketh friendship. "Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend, yet despair not for there may be a returning to favour. "If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound for for these things every friend will depart," (Ecclus. xxii.) "My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins. "Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent; for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men. "All iniquity is as a two-edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed. "To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate. "A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and His judgment cometh speedily. "He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart. "An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth. "He that buildeth his house with other men's money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial. "The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them. "The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but the end thereof is the pit of hell. "He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof; and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom. "He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness," (Ecclus. xxii.) FORETHOUGHT. "Learn before thou speak, and use physic or ever thou be sick. "Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy. "Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance. "Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified. "Before thou prayest prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord. "Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face. "When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need. "From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord. "A wise man will fear in everything, and in the day of sinning he will beware of sloth. "Strive not with a mighty man, lest thou fall into his hands. "Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings. "Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire. "Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced. 66 Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment. "Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old. "Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all. "O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord. "But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened ? "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of His love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him. "Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman: "And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies. "There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy. "I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman. "The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth." GOOD RESOLUTIONS. THOUGH I'm now in younger days, Where my growing age shall call me. Should I e'er be sick or great, Others shall partake my goodness; Where I see the blind or lame, Deaf or dumb, I'll kindly treat them; If I mock, or hurt, or cheat them. If I meet with railing tongues, When I hear them telling lies, What though I be low or mean, And submit when they reprove me. If I should be poor and sick, I shall meet, I hope, with pity, Since I love to help the weak, Though they're neither fair nor witty. I'll not willingly offend, Nor be easily offended: What's amiss I'll strive to mend, And endure what can't be mended. May I be as watchful still O'er my humours and my passion, As to speak and do no ill, Though it should be all the fashion. Wicked fashions lead to hell; Not to be afraid of dying. Dr. Walls. |