His blessing is a true blessing:—
“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and doth not increase trouble with it” (x. 22).
His Will alone must be obeyed:—
“There is no wisdom, and no understanding, and no counsel against the Lord” (xxi. 30).
“Whoso despiseth a word will be punished, but he who feareth a commandment will be rewarded” (xiii. 13).
“Without a vision the people cometh into disorder; but he who keepeth the Law, happy is he” (xxix. 18).
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The fear of the Lord is the basis of a virtuous and happy life:—
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (i. 7); the fountain of life (xiv. 27); the fear of the Lord adds days, but the years of the wicked will be short” (x. 27).
According as we display wisdom or folly we make others and ourselves happy or unhappy:—
“A wise son giveth joy to his father, and a foolish son is the sorrow of his mother” (x. 1).
“The wisdom of woman buildeth her house, and folly pulleth it down by her hands” (xiv. 1).
“Eat, my son, honey, for it is good, and honeycomb, which is sweet for thy palate; know that thus is wisdom for thy soul; if thou hast found it, there is a future, and thy hope will not be cut off” (xxiv. 13, 14).
“The prudent seeth evil, and is hidden; the ignorant pass by, and are punished” (xxvii. 12).
“As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman without discretion” (xi. 22).
“The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man looketh well to his going” (xiv. 15).
The ways of wisdom and folly are frequently displayed in our words:—