PROVERBS
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM GOD
The Book of Proverbs in the Holy Bible is a practical book of instructions on how to live a better, more peaceful and joy filled life. The writer, King Solomon (the wisest man who ever lived), says the reason he wrote these things (other than the fact that God told him to do so) is: "To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding...to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion - a wise man will hear and increase learning..." 1:2-5.
Here are a few words of wisdom accompanied by pictures to illustrate the action - Enjoy!
"Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go" 22:24
Ouch! Trying to deal with a man who holds a chair like a club in one hand and accosts you with the other is certainly a situation to avoid -- wise words indeed!
--The carving of the two men is on the walls of City Hall in Brussel Belgium.
"Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman" 21:9
"Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord" 19:14
This carving I spotted in an archway of a palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, shows a dutiful wife lighting the lamp as her husband sits peacefully by her side.
"The foolishness of a man twists his way, and his heart frets against the Lord" 19:3
"The lazy man says, 'There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" 22:13
This carved column on the side of a building in Helsinki Finland depicts a foolish, lazy, frightened man.
Two more carvings on a building in Helsinki (interesting choice of decoration, wouldn't you say?!).
"A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back to pervert the ways of justice" 17:23
"The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes" 21:10
"A wicked man hardens his face, but as for the upright, he establishes his way" 21:29
We'll end on a positive note with a sweet carving found in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia. The little cherubs are busily building -
"In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty" 14:23
"The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor" 12:24
"Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings..." 22:29.
"The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens....for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught" 3:19 & 26.
