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On Pride, Covetousness, and Envy.

Ecclesiasticus.

Why is earth and ashes proud? Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity. The beginning of pride is when one departeth from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker. The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead. The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place. In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him. The envious man hath a wicked eye; he turneth away his face, and despiseth men. A covetous man's eye is not satisfied with his portion; and the iniquity of the wicked drieth up his soul. A wicked eye envieth his bread, and he is a niggard at his table. There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one setteth his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels. Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness bringeth age before the time. Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie wait for them. Pride

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was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are born of a woman.

Proverbs.

There is a generation, O how lofty

are their

An high

eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. look and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked is sin. Pride goeth before destruction," and an haughty spirit before a fall. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. A sound heart is the life of the flesh but envy the rottenness of the bones. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

On Truth.

Ecclesiasticus.

In no wise speak against the truth; but be abashed of the error of thine ignorance. Devise not a lie against thy brother; neither do the like to thy friend. Use not to make any manner of lie for the custom thereof is not good. A lie is

a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught. The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him. Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord shall fight for thee.

Proverbs.

The

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. A righteous man hateth lying but a wicked man is loathsome,

and cometh to shame. Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

On Anger.

Ecclesiasticus.

Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins for a furious man will kindle strife. A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace. As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth and as a man's strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger riseth; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed. An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood. If thou blow the spark, it shall burn if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched and both these come out of thy mouth. A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.

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Proverbs.

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. 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. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. A wrathful man stirreth up strife but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. A froward man soweth strife and a whisperer separateth chief friends. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. A soft an

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