“Astutus omnia agit cum consilio ; qui autem fatuus est aperit stultitiam.”
“Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. layeth: Heb. spreadeth”
“Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.”
“Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.”
“Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth his folly.”
I. To men's worldly estate. The world is a great cheat, not only the things of the world, but the men of the world. All men are liars. Here is an instance in two sore evils under the sun:—1. Some that are really poor would be thought to be rich and are thought to be so; they trade and spend as if they were rich, make a great bustle and a great show as if they had hidden treasures, when perhaps, if all their debts were paid, they are not worth a groat. This is sin, and will be shame; many a one hereby ruins his family and brings reproach upon his profession of religion. Those that thus live above what they have choose to be subject to their own pride rather than to God's providence, and it will end accordingly. 2. Some that are really rich would be thought to be poor, and are thought to be so, because they sordidly and meanly live below what God has given them, and choose rather to bury it than to use it, Eccl 6 1, 2. In this there is an ingratitude to God, injustice to the family and neighbourhood, and uncharitableness to the poor.