Proverbs 15 · The Lantern

A soft answer turneth away wrath; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.

Receive into thy ears the teaching of the great Solomon: God hates the poor man to be a pleader on high. [Prov. 23:11] Therefore submit thyself, and give honour to Him that is powerful; for the soft speech-thou knowest the proverb-melts. [Prov. 15:1] One is conquered by service, even although there be an ancient anger.

Poemen said, 'If a man sins and denies it, saying, "I have not sinned," do not correct him, or you will destroy any intention he might have of changing. If you say, "Do not be cast down, my brother, but be careful about that in future," you will move his heart to repent.'

If you seek an example of justice, fortitude, prudence, purity, Scripture proposes becoming examples of every virtue. For virtue consists in concrete doings, wherefore interior guidelines are not enough unless they are accompanied by a concrete example. Hence Scripture gives both. As a rule against anger, it offers: A mild answer calms wrath.

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

The eyes of HaShem are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

A soothing tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a wound to the spirit.

A fool despiseth his father's correction; but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

In the house of the righteous is much treasure; but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; but the heart of the foolish is not stedfast.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to HaShem; but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to HaShem; but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; and he that hateth reproof shall die.

The nether-world and Destruction are before HaShem; how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

A scorner loveth not to be reproved; he will not go unto the wise.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

The heart of him that hath discernment seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

All the days of the poor are evil; but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Better is little with the fear of HaShem, than great treasure and turmoil therewith.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

"Herbs with love are better than a fatted calf with deceit." This is reminiscent of what we said before, that herbs are not the Agape, but that meals should be taken with charity. A middle course is good in all things, and no less so in serving a banquet. Extremes, in fact, are dangerous, but the mean is good, and all that avoids dire need is a mean.

But you should be content with your own possessions and not feed on the losses of others. The good food is the simplicity of innocence. Having their own good, they do not know how to lay traps for others, nor do they burn with the flames of greed, for whom every gain is a loss to virtue and an inflaming desire.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, etc. Everyone who shows examples of good works to others, which they may imitate, invites them as to a feast by which they are refreshed.

A wrathful man stirreth up discord; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

The way of the sluggard is as though hedged by thorns; but the path of the upright is even.

In this number are those whom Wisdom calls the "slothful ones," who bestrew their "way" with "thorns"; who think it a moral loss to be anxious about keeping the commandments; who erase from their own minds the Apostolic teaching, and instead of eating the bread of their own honest earning fix on that of others, and make their idleness itself into an art of living.

"The ways of those who do not work are strewn with thorns, but the ways of the strong are trodden down." Thus wandering from the king's highway, they can never arrive at that metropolis to which our course should ever be directed without swerving.

The way of the just is without stumbling. For indeed the just, in their conduct, whatever adversity confronts them, do not stumble, because they overcome the obstacles of temporal adversity by the leap of eternal hope and inner contemplation.

A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Folly is joy to him that lacketh understanding; but a man of discernment walketh straightforwards.

For want of counsel purposes are frustrated; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; and a word in due season, how good is it!

The path of life goeth upward for the wise, that he may depart from the nether-world beneath.

HaShem will pluck up the house of the proud; but He will establish the border of the widow.

The thoughts of wickedness are an abomination to HaShem; but words of pleasantness are pure.

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

HaShem is far from the wicked; but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; and a good report maketh the bones fat.

The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; but he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

The fear of HaShem is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour goeth humility.

Proverbs15