PROVERBS CHAPTER 18.
V. 14. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, a strong and courageous mind supporting him in bodily sickness or weakness; but a wounded spirit, one bowed and broken by adversity, who can bear? It is a more difficult matter to bear up under the infirmities of the soul, the griefs, sorrows, troubles, and tribulations which affect the inner life than to overcome the effects of bodily weakness.
V. 15. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, working for its possession, ready for its reception, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge, eager to serve the heart and the inner life in the acquisition of true wisdom.
V. 16. A man’s gift, sent before him to procure favor for him, maketh room for him, giving him ready access to the one whose favor he is seeking, and bringeth him before great men, for it opens the doors of the mighty before him, this being true not only in the Orient, but also in the midst of our Western civilization.
V. 17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just, that is, a person believes himself to be altogether in the right in any disputed matter before he has heard the other side; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him, makes him submit to a new examination concerning the matter at issue, thereby bringing the truth to light and reversing the original opinion.