BOOK 1. SELECT SENTENCES. HAPPY is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to 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. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. A soft answer turneth away wrath. ** A wise woman buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Proto As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman. without discretion. It is pleasant to be virtuous and good, because that is to excel many others; it is pleasant to grow better, because that is to excel ourselves; it is pleasant to command our appetites and passions, and to keep them in due order within the bounds of reason and religion, because this is empire; nay, it is pleasant even to mortify and subdue our lusts, because this is victory. ? Reading makes a full man, conversation a ready man, writing an exact man. B Manners with fortunes, humours change with climes, Who lives to nature rarely can be poor; Youth is not rich in time; it may be poor; Yesterday was once to morrow; That yesterday is gone, and nothing gain'd, Thou, like the chariot's hindmost wheels, art curst, God made the country, and man made the town. Humility is a virtue all preach, none practise, and yet, every body is content to hear of. The master thinks it good doctrine for his servant, the laity for the clergy, and the clergy for the laity. The mind never unbends itself so agreeably as in the conversation of a well-chosen friend. A cheerful temper, joined with innocence, will make beauty attractive, knowledge delightful, and wit good natured. It is impossible for any thought to be beautiful, which is not just the basis of all wit is truth; and no thought can be valuable, of which good sense is not the groundwork. Words are like leaves, and where they most abound Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found. How different is the view of past life, in the man who is grown old in knowledge and wisdom, from that of him who is grown old in ignorance and folly! The latter is like the owner of a barren country, that fills his eye with the prospect of naked hills and plains, which produce nothing either profitable or ornamental; the other beholds a beautiful and spacious landscape, divided into delightful gardens, green meadows, and fruitful fields, and can scarce cast his eye on a single spot of his possessions, that is not covered with some beautiful plant of flower. To be good is to be happy. Angels Are happier than men, because they 're better. With whips and stings: the blest know none of this, And find the height of all their Heav'n is goodness. Virtue does still Great minds, like Heav'n, are pleas'dwith doing good, Amusement reigns, Time travels on with an even, uninterrupted, inexorable step. Moment presses upon moment, day treads upon day; not a particle of our sand makes the smallest pause, when it's turn to run out is come. The awful now asks us but once to embrace it, then turns it's back upon us, aud hands are stretched out after it in vain. our We Happiness, like God, is not far from any one of us. search for happiness up and down the world, looking for it in this place and in that, wondering all the while where it can be, and why we do not find it; like one who torments himself with a long, anxious, fretful, and at length hopeless search for something, which all the while he has in his own band. That humble current of little kindnesses, which, though but a creeping streamlet, incessantly flows; although it glides in silent secresy within the domestic walls, and along the walks of private life, and makes neither appearance nor noise in the world; pours, in the end, a more copious tribute into the store of human comfort and felicity, than any sudden and transient flood of detached bounty, however ample, that may rush into it with a mighty sound. God has bestowed upon us all a portion of that power to bless, which himself possesses in an infinite degree. 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 merchant's 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 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 bands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, yea she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in 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, and 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. O honour, frail as life, thy fellow flow'r; Give sorrow words: the grief, that does not speak, Nor ease nor peace, that heart can know, Turns at the touch of joy or wo, But, turning, trembles too. O the dark days of vanity! while here And smiles an angel, or a fury frowns. Like our shadows, Our wishes lengthen as our sun declines. |