God's Word to Mother-earth did come: "Hearken to my voice!" And He did promise to support her task, if men, as true and faithful servants of the God on high, would work the ground with diligence.

Who is the man of wisdom, that may rightly boast of wisdom? 'Tis he who, recognising the sinful thing, keepeth himself aloof from it.

The man of sense who enquireth, and seeketh to remain firm, will not rest until he doth dismiss his desire, and drive it wholly away from him.

O man of understanding! Be not confident until thy sense hath conquered thy desire. If o'er thy own desire thou canst not rule, how canst thou over others rule?

No man can be accounted upright until his sinful soul's desires be looked upon by him as so many abominations, equally abhorred as the mouse and other unclean things.

Things prohibited may be classed under three different heads; give them thy attention, and thou wilt easily discern them. There are things which thy soul longeth after, which thou shouldst keep at arm's length; some things may be prohibited for which thou hast no desire, leave these alone; some things, too, are prohibited, which, even if allowed, would find man's soul recoil from them.

Happy the man who divorceth his desire for the glory of that which cometh not nor appeareth; for no man will regret having stifled, to the glory of God, the desire that assailed him!

As for the man who ruleth not over his desire, his end will be all evil and bitter; and, as though stung in the heel by the adder, will be what the day bringeth him forth, his pain growing greater and keener.

Shouldst thou seek counsel, and not find the adviser in whom thou canst confide, then turn from that which thy desire doth prompt, lest for thyself thou spread destruction's net. Lo, thy desire for thy good sense doth lie in wait, when sense doth stop its ear and close its eye!

Were it not for three considerations, things would go all well with man, and his right-doing would be assured, namely (the powerlessness of) old age (to impress its experiences); the stubbornness with which pride is decked; and the desire of man which cometh upon him, and is not vanquished.

He who taketh the counsel of his heart's desire will in a brief moment destroy the joy of his heart; but he who rebelleth against the promptings of desire will receive due honour, and, rising above, will prove himself the victor, and be helped.

Strive not with a miser, who delighteth in keeping and holding back from thee his wealth; strive rather with thine own desire, fight against it, and scatter thy fierce passion.

Tis ever so; while counsel sleepeth, passion waketh, watching at all times and hours. If wise counsel be overcome, rising passion showeth its brazen front.

If in goodness the child his life begin, he will continue so until old age; he who in his youth doth sin, will remain a sinner unto death.

How long, O man, will thy heart yet slumber? When wilt thou wake from thy sleep? The world's battles leaving, strengthen thyself, and fight with thy desire the goodly fight.

But shouldst thou, too fond of the beauteous world, to its pleasures give way, understand, to the great sorrow of thy heart, thy remorse will grow apace.

Passion and blindness to each other as a pair do cling, they are caught in each other's embrace; joined together to destroy the beauteous strength of manhood, they associate always, and never part.

Who Heaven's trials in cheerful spirit doth receive, will ever gain the joyousness that bringeth with it true restfulness; while he who frets at what the hour may bring, will ne'er from sighs and sorrowing be free.

Faith in all things doth stand high; 'tis unique and foremost in quality. Where there is faith, there is enough of grace and wealth, of substance strong, and of service full.

Not in proportion to one's haste will one's food, nor daily ration, come; should it elude thy grasp and leave thee, seek it until thou find it again.

What a fool is he who God's judgment and ruling contemneth! There is no cure for such folly as his. When his time comes, it will avail him naught to show a sad countenance, or to betray anger and annoyance.

I will place God before me, that my hope be not lost. I will resolve in my heart¹"=46, the number of lines in this section.] to make my way firm.

footnotes: ¹ ["In my heart