Gold Nugget 155 - The Wise Man

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      The wise man may not always come to a just conclusion as to belief and practice, but the fool will usually be misled by his folly. …

      The wise man is gradually disillusioned regarding himself.  He may start in life with the persuasion of his power commanding superiority; but his confidence is perhaps by slow degrees undermined, and he may end by forming a habit of self-distrust.

      At the same time, the wise man becomes painfully conscious that he does not deserve the reputation which he enjoys among his fellow-men.  But, above all, he feels that his wisdom is folly in the presence of the all-wise God, to whose omniscience all things are clear, and from whose judgment there is no appeal.

      Hence the wise man acquires the most valuable lesson of modesty and humility – qualities which give a crowning grace to true wisdom.  The wise man assuredly would not exchange with the fool, but he would fain be wiser than he is; and he cherishes the conviction that whatever light illumines him is but a ray from the central and eternal Sun.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Ecclesiastes p.20, Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, (J. R. Thomson)

 

Gold Nugget 155

The Wise Man

 

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