About wisdom, laziness, money, and respect for kings
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| 1
¶ Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a
stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom
and honour.
.2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3 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. |
1 -
Dead flies Literally "Flies of death." What a tragedy that many
who have worked for the Lord will fall asleep and cease watching for the
enemy. In this condition they fall.
2 - At his right hand The right side or hand implies power or favor. See ps01608, ps11005, mt2531-34. Also ge3518, lu0111. |
| Our safety lies not only in professing the truth but in living the truth out. Daily, hourly, momentarily, we need that genuine faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Unless as individuals we are imbued with the Holy Spirit of God, we shall surely be led astray by some of Satan's specious devices. Our only course of safety is to walk humbly with God, to watch most earnestly lest selfishness, lest some sin we do not discern, shall have the mastery of our minds and be developed in our character, and thus our feet be caused to stumble, and we fall into Satan's net before we know that we are entangled. The Lord would not have us ignorant of Satan's devices. I consider that you are in need of watching unto prayer in order that not one hereditary or acquired habit shall be cherished that will lead you away from following Jesus, and from copying the great Pattern. {13MR 274, EGW). | |
| 4 ¶ If the spirit of
the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth
great offences.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: .6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. .7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. |
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| .8
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge,
a serpent shall bite him.
9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 10 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. 11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. |
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| .12
¶ The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a
fool will swallow up himself.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city. |
12
- Gracious That is, acceptable. See ps04502,
pr2211,
lu0422.
13 - Foolishness See pr1502, pr1712, is3206. |
| 16 ¶ Woe to thee, O land,
when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17 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! .18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. 20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. |
16
- King is a child He plays when he should be acting responsible.
Compare preceding verses.
16 - Princes eat in the morning "The usual time for dispensing justice in the East (Jer 21:12); here, given to feasting (Isa 5:11; Ac 2:15)." (JFB). 17 - Blessed In comparison to irresponsibility. |
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