Gold Nugget 337 - The Calm, Strong, Silent Soul
The turbulent spirit is like a mutinous crew that may make tumult on board the ship while the sea is as still as glass, and the peaceful spirit is like a well-conducted crew that woks in quiet while the sea is torn with the tempest. …
Some give more show than service, and make more noise than profit. Eager to attract attention, they “sound a trumpet before them”. Not so the quiet spirit, who labour in silence, content to be obscure so long as they know they are not living in vain. …
“Still waters run deep.” We can look far into the quiet lake, while only the surface-waves of one that is fretted with cross-winds can be seen. The calm, brooding soul knows depths of thought and secret experience that are unfathomable to the foolish, restless, noisy soul. …
The silent forest grows strong. The mind is made vigorous by patient endurance. On who is calm is master of the situation, while another who is fretted and flurried feels lost and helpless. The calm, strong, silent soul, vigorous and yet unostentatious, ripens best the fruits of experience. Such a one does most real work. …
Selfishness makes us restless. “A hear at leisure from itself” can learn to be patient and calm.
The Pulpit Commentary, Proverbs p. 280-281, Proverbs 14:30, (W. F. Adeney)
See also: Matthew 6:2
Gold Nugget 337
The Calm, Strong, Silent Soul
