PROVERBS CHAPTER 15.
V. 13. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, for when the spirit is joyous, it brightens the face; but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken, if grief has taken possession of the heart, the powers of the mind are also influenced, clearness of thought is gone, and the shock proves generally disastrous to the whole spiritual life.
V. 14. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge, for he is anxious always to increase in true wisdom, as it applies to the various situations in life; but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness, literally, “the face of fools pastures on folly,” delighting in it, as an animal eagerly feeds on grass in the pasture.
V. 15. All the days of the afflicted are evil, for the inward burden of their grief makes every day sad for them; but he that is of a merry heart, refusing to be burdened or bowed down by sorrow, hath a continual feast, his life being like a constant festival.