“Os justi parturiet sapientiam ; lingua pravorum peribit.”
“The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.”
“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.”
“The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.”
“The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off.”
This may be taken two ways:—1. As a reason why we should be diligent in our business, that we may avoid that sinking dispiriting uneasiness which attends poverty, and may enjoy the benefit and comfort which those have that are beforehand in the world. Taking pains is really the way to make ourselves and our families easy. Or, rather, 2. As a representation of the common mistakes both of rich and poor, concerning their outward condition. (1.) Rich people think themselves happy because they are rich; but it is their mistake: The rich man's wealth is, in his own conceit, his strong city, whereas the worst of evils it is too weak and utterly insufficient to protect them from. It will prove that they are not so safe as they imagine; nay, their wealth may perhaps expose them. (2.) Poor people think themselves undone because they are poor; but it is their mistake: The destruction of the poor is their poverty; it sinks their spirits, and ruins all their comforts; whereas a man may live very comfortably, though he has but a little to live on, if he be but content, and keep a good conscience, and live by faith.