PRUDENCE IN ACTION
DO NOT yield to every
impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in
the light of God's will. For very often, sad to say, we are so weak
that we believe and speak evil of others rather than good. Perfect
men, however, do not readily believe every talebearer, because they
know that human frailty is prone to evil and is likely to appear in
speech.
Not to act rashly or to
cling obstinately to one's opinion, not to believe everything people
say or to spread abroad the gossip one has heard, is great wisdom.
Take counsel with a wise
and conscientious man. Seek the advice of your betters in preference
to following your own inclinations.
A good life makes a man
wise according to God and gives him experience in many things, for the
more humble he is and the more subject to God, the wiser and the more
at peace he will be in all things. |
Of prudence in action
We must not trust every word of
others or feeling within ourselves, but cautiously and patiently try
the matter, whether it be of God. Unhappily we are so weak that we
find it easier to believe and speak evil of others, rather than good.
But they that are perfect, do not give ready heed to every
news-bearer, for they know man's weakness that it is prone to evil and
unstable in words.
2. This is great wisdom, not to
be hasty in action, or stubborn in our own opinions. A part of this
wisdom also is not to believe every word we hear, nor to tell others
all that we hear, even though we believe it. Take counsel with a man
who is wise and of a good conscience; and seek to be instructed by one
better than thyself, rather than to follow thine own inventions. A
good life maketh a man wise toward God, and giveth him experience in
many things. The more humble a man is in himself, and the more
obedient towards God, the wiser will he be in all things, and the more
shall his soul be at peace. |