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THE

ROVERBS OF SOLOMON

CLASSIFIED AND ARRANGED

AS

@axims for Conduct

AND

A Guide Through Life.

BODI

LONDON:

HAMILTON, ADAMS & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW,

101. f. 315.

THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON contain a rich mine of precious thought on human life and character. Every age has borne testimony to their excellence, in analysing motives, laying bare the springs of action, exposing vice and folly, inculcating purity of thought and holiness of life, and encouraging the practice of virtue by the fear of God. Apart altogether from the question of inspiration, the sagacity of their insight into the human heart, and the wisdom of their practical counsels, have established them in all ages as an infallible standard of excellence and rule of conduct. Much of their value, however, is lost to the ordinary reader, by the fragmentary and unconnected manner in which they have been handed down to us. They resemble in their present condition the stones of a beautiful edifice, which have become dislocated, and are piled together without order or arrangement; column and buttress, and pinnacle and cornice thrown together indiscriminately, preventing the display of the

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beauty and coherence which a systematic order would develope.

The following pages are the result of an attempt to remedy this imperfection, by classifying and bringing together the Proverbs of a similar class, so as to illustrate their combined bearing on the subjects to which they relate.

The authorised version has been exclusively employed. Not a single word has been altered, nor have any verses been omitted except a very few in the 30th and 31st chapters, which do not apply to any special subject. If this arrangement should lead to a clearer comprehension and better appreciation of this portion of the Word of God, the efforts of the compiler will be amply rewarded.

J. A. P.

SANDYKNOWE, WAVERTREE,

Near LIVERPOOL

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