Posted on Saturday, 7 July 2001
Listen, my son, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor." (Proverbs 4:1-8)
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)
"The perpetual commendations of the lady either on his handwriting, or on the evenness of his lines, or on the length of his letter, with the perfect unconcern with which her praises were received, formed a curious dialogue, and was exactly in unison with her opinion of each."
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting...(Proverbs 31:30)
"He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention."
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. (Proverbs 20:15)
"My fingers...do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault -- because I would not take the trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior execution."
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)
"From the very beginning, from the first moment I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form that ground-work of disapprobation, on which succeeding events have built so immoveable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."
She is clothed in strength and dignity. (Proverbs 31:25)
"She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. -- Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think, without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd. How despicably have I acted!...I, who have prided myself on my discernment! -- I, who have valued myself on my abilities! who have often disdained the generous candour of my sister, and gratified my vanity, in useless or blameable distrust. -- How humiliating is this discovery!"
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)
"For a few moments, indeed, she felt that he would probably strike into some other path. This idea lasted while a turning in the walk concealed him from their view; the turning past, he was immediately before them."
Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand...
(Proverbs 8:1-2)
"...and the very circumstance which had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth, seemed to have fixed them on her more, and more cheerfully."
A kind hearted woman gains respect... (Proverbs 11:16)
"I am afraid that you have long been desiring my absence..."
Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free. (Proverbs 11:21)
"It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance."
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
"It taught me to hope...as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before."
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. (Proverbs 24:26)
"The happiness which this reply produced, was such as he had probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do."
Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)
"I do, I do like him...I love him. Indeed he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable. You do not know what he really is; then pray do not pain me by speaking of him in such terms."
A wife of noble character is her husband's crown...(Proverbs 12:4)
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. (Proverbs 3:13-18)