The Young Man’s Guide for Women
“These six things does the Lord hate: well, actually, eight.” Proverbs
One day I discovered Proverbs. It took me a while to realize they were advice from a very old man — hundreds of years old — to young men. I do think it applies to males AND females, though, so you’ll forgive me if I clean up the machismo a bit.
What is hated is: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. So far, so good.
Then, Solomon says, an imagination that thinks up evil things and feet that run to mischief. Again, great advice. My son could have used that last bit of wisdom. His feet ran to mischief faster than his mother’s feet could run to stop him.
Here’s two favorite bits of Solomon advice: It’s terrible to be a false, lying witness. We all know that from watching Cold Case, Law and Order and our naughty cousin who landed up in Juvie. Here’s one many families would benefit from: “Do not sow discord among your brethren.” Boy, did Solomon know families! Well, he had hundreds.
“My son, leave not thy father’s commandment and forsake not the laws of your mother.” In fact, adds Solomon, tie them around your neck and bind them to your heart. A commandment, after all, is a bright light.
Adultery is one big-time sin. Anyone who knowingly steals a mate is stealing a home, destroying a family, maybe destroying a man or woman’s life in its entirety.
Once there was a young girl named Katherine. She saw a woman’s husband and nothing would do but she would have him. So she spent a year wooing him, first subtly, then more persistently. Finally, blatantly. One weekend, while his wife was out of town, Katherine went to their home, tumbled into the hubby’s bed and was found there in the morning by the man’s wife – surprise! Wife missed him and came home early. It ended the couple’s marriage. It ended their business relationship. Adultery damaged all three.
Proverbs is a nice little life training manual. Check it out.
Meditation for the Day
“Your highest self will never respond to any ordinary half-hearted call, or any milk-and-water endeavor. It can only be reached by your [toughest] effort. It will respond only to the call that is backed up by the whole of you, not part of you; you must be all there in what you are trying to do.” Orison Sweet Marden, philosopher
Action for the Day
I am going to answer the call to change with all my will, my passion, my determination – and take Solomon’s advice. After all, he was wiser – and older — than I will ever be.
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