Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water: but a man of understanding will draw it out (xx. 5).

Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice maketh war (xx. 18).

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old (xxiii. 22).

My son, fear thou the Lord and the king; and meddle not with them that are given to change (xxiv. 21).

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel (xxvii. 9).

OF TALKATIVENESS AND SILENCE.

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin but he that refraineth his lips is wise (x. 19).

He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit (xvii. 27).

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding (xvii. 28).

A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards (xxix. 11).

OF RASHNESS AND DELIBERATION.

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him (xviii. 13).

Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame (xxv. 8).

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself, and discover not a secret to another (xxv. 9). Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth (xxvii. 1).

Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him (xxix. 20).

OF TRUTH AND LYING.

The lip of truth shall be established for ever but a lying tongue is but for a moment (xii. 19).

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight (xii. 22). Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding (xxiii. 23). A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin (xxvi. 28).

OF TALE-BEARING AND BACKBITING.

A tale-bearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter (xi. 13).

A froward man soweth strife; and a whisperer separateth chief friends (xvi. 28).

The words of a tale bearer are as wounds,

and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly (xviii. 8).

The north wind driveth away rain; so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue (xxv. 23).

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out; so where there is no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth (xxvi. 20).

OF REPROOF.

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction but he that refuseth reproof erreth (x. 17).

A reproof entereth more into a wise man, than an hundred stripes into a fool (xvii. 10). As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear (xxv. 12).

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend: but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful (xxvii. 5, 6).

He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy (xxix. 1).

THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS.

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it (x. 22).

The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want (xiii. 25).

C

When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him (xvi. 7).

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe (xviii. 10).

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness but the righteous bath hope in his death (xiv. 32).

PART SECOND.

THE BEST PHILOSOPHICAL, MORAL, AND RELIGI OUS PROVERBS OF ALL NATIONS, ARRANGED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

"Proverbs are the children of experience, and he that would do well should view himself in them, as in a glass."

[I think it proper here to remark, that although the following Proverbs may be an excellent guide to the reader, yet the writer does not intend that they should occupy the same high position as that selection which he has made from the inspired "Proverbs of Solomon."]

A BAD man, whatever his rank, has a blot on his escutcheon.

A believer in a poor condition resembles a valuable picture in a broken frame.

A bitter jest is the poison of friendship.

A contented mind hath a continual feast. A crown of diamonds will not cure the headache.