suspicion may destroy a good repute." (Danish).
"One mangy sheep spoils the whole flock."
(Danish and Italian). Strong vinegar ruins the
vessel in which it is contained." (Turkish).
A coir improperly twisted will break the whole
mass. (Malabar). "Of a spark of fire a heap
of coal is kindled." (Hebrew). "To spare a
swelling until it becomes an ulcer." (Chinese).
"A spoonful of tar in a barrel of honey, and all is
spoiled.' (Russian). One piece of arsenic
suffices to kill a thousand crows." (Malay). "A
vessel of honey with a drop of poison in it."
(Kurdish).

"Now if some flies perchance, however small,
Into the alabaster urn should fall,

The odours of the sweets enclosed would die;
And stench corrupt, sad change their place supply."
Matthew Prior.

Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; and a false balance is not good. (Prov. xx: 23).

Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass, or loweth the ox over his fodder? (Job vi : 5).

Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise; when he shutteth his lips he is esteemed as prudent. (Prov. xvii : 28).

See Job xiii: 5.

"Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact." -George Eliot.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are profuse. (Prov. xxvii : 6).

God hath power to help and to cast down. (II Chron. XXV : 8).

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. (Prov. vi : 6).

Grace is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. (Prov. xxxi: 30).

The following German proverbs refer to feminine beauty: "Every woman would rather be pretty

than pious," "Beauty and understanding go rarely together," "Beauty and folly are sisters," "Beauty is but dross if honesty be lost," "Beauty vanishes, virtue endures,' "Beauty without modesty is infamous,' 'Beauty without understanding is vain talk," "Beauty without virtue is a rose without fragrance.' On the other hand the Germans say: "A virtuous woman though ugly is the ornament of her house.'

One of the severest criticisms that has ever been
passed on woman in a proverb is found in Hin-
dustan, where it is said: "All pretty maids are
poisonous pests; an enemy kills by hiding, these
by smiles and jests." See also Grouping Proverbs:
'Infidelity, violence, deceit, etc."

"Three things may make a woman naught,
A giddy brain, a heart that's vain,

A face in beauty's fashion wrought."

An Old Welsh Proverb in Rhyme.

He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him. (Prov. xviii : 13).

See Prov. xx:25; John vii :51; The Acts xxv : 16.
"Quick and good go not well together." (German).
'Quick and well don't agree." (Italian and
Danish). "He passes sentence before he hears
the evidence." (English).

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, and his good deed will he pay him again. (Prov. xix : 17).

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it, but he that hateth suretyship is sure. (Prov. xi: 15).

He that passeth by and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. (Prov. xxvi : 17).

"He that tastes every man's broth sometimes burns his mouth." "Meddle not with dirt; some of it will stick to you." (Danish).

He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. (Prov. xiii : 3).

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life. (Prov. xiii : 12).

In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided. (Gen. xxii : 14).

Jehovah-jireh was the name of the place where
Abraham offered a ram instead of his son Isaac.
The word means "Thou art a God of seeing,'
and led to the formation of the above proverb.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Prov. xxvii : 17).

"A man by himself is no man, he is dull, he is very
blunt; but if his fellow come and quicken him by
his presence, speech, and example, he is so whetted
on by this means that he is much more comfort-
able, skilful, and better than he was when he was
alone."-Peter Muffet.

Is Saul also among the prophets? (I Sam. x : 12).
See I Sam. xix : 24.

The saying is an expression of astonishment because
of the appearance of high spiritual endowments
and a strong moral and religious tone in the life
of Saul.

Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth; a stranger and not thine own lips. (Prov. xxvii : 2).

"He that

'Self-praise is no recommendation."
praiseth himself spattereth himself." (English).
'Self-praise disgraces." (Spanish). "Who
praises himself fouls himself." (Italian). "Self-
praise smells, friend's praise halts." (German).

Let not him that girdeth on his armour, boast himself as he that putteth it off. (I Ki. xx : II).

Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Jehovah. (Gen. x:9).

There have been many speculations regarding Nimrod and his name is associated with a number of old legends. It is said that he was in possession of the garments of skin worn by Adam and Eve when they left Paradise. These garments at first fell into the possession of Enoch, then they

descended to Methuselah and then to Noah, who preserved them in the ark during the period of the flood. Then Ham stole them and kept them hidden for a long time. Finally Ham gave them to his son Cush, who in turn presented them to Nimrod. As the garments made their wearer invincible and irresistible, Nimrod was able to overcome all the beasts of the forest and every human antagonist and finally to triumph over the King of Babylon. Ruling in his place, he extended his sway until he became sovereign of the world. Nimrod was said to be very wicked and tried to lead others into evil ways. In this he was assisted by his son Mardon, in whose day men began to use the phrase: "Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness," which afterwards became a proverb. See further notes on Nimrod under Proverbs Suggested by the Scriptures.

Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight. (Prov. xii : 22).

(I Sam.

Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness. xxiv: 13). See Matt. vii: 15-20; xii : 33-35; also notes on proverbs quoted above: "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Jehovah," and "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil."

This proverb, sometimes quoted, "Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked," is said to be the oldest proverb on record.

Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Prov. xvi : 18).

"Pride before a fall." (Hindi). "Pride goeth before and shame cometh after." "Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy." 'You gazed at the moon and fell into the gutter." (English). "Pride leaves home on horseback but returns on foot." (German, Italian). "Pride ne'er leaves its maister till he get a fa'." (Scotch). "He who climbs too high, the sprig will break under him.' "Pride and its

companion had a fall together." "The lofty are apt to fall." "There is no pride without humiliation." (Welsh). "Pride leads to the destruction of men." (Hebrew). "Pride will have a fall." (English, German, Danish).

"If pride lead the van, beggary brings up the rear." -Benjamin Franklin.

"Pride triumphant rears her head,

A little while and all her power is fled."

Oliver Goldsmith.
"How justly then will impious mortals fall,
Whose pride would soar to heav'n without a call."
W. D. Rosecommon.

See Bible Proverbs-New Testament: "He that
exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted," and Proverbs
Suggested by the Bible: "Pride will have a fall."

Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. (Prov. xiv: 34).

Skin for skin. (Job ii: 4).

This proverbial expression was quoted by Satan and emphasized by the added clause, "All that a man hath will he give for his life."

The argument used by the adversary was that Job, like other men, would willingly relinquish all that he possessed rather than part with his life; therefore were Jehovah to touch his bone and flesh he would at once renounce his allegiance.

The ear that harkeneth to the reproof of life shall abide among the wise. (Prov. xv: 31).

The days are prolonged and every vision faileth. (Ezek. xii : 22).

The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge. (Ezek. xviii : 2).

See Jer. xxxi: 29, 30.

This proverb, as used by the Jews, implied a censure upon divine justice which Jehovah refuted.