the opposite is what has happened, and the warmth and passion as well as the reverence, of their words in honour of Wisdom bear eloquent, unconscious testimony to the admiration and affection in which the Sages held their calling. Hear then the Praises of Wisdom-- _Happy is the man that findeth Wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding; for the merchandise of it is better than silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things that thou canst desire are comparable unto her...._ (Pr. 3^{13-15}): surely a disconcerting verse for upholders of the supposed utilitarianism of the proverbs? Again, _How much better is it to get Wisdom than gold! Yea to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver_ (Pr. 16^{16}, cp. 8^{10})--so much for the Sages’ notion of comparative values. In chapter 9 of _Proverbs_, by a touch of fine imagination, Wisdom is daringly pictured as a noble Lady, bidding guests to her banquet. She is the counterpart of Madam Folly, who also gives a banquet and who thus invites a passer-by: _Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant_, (to which the Wise add in caustic comment as they see the foolish one enter: _But he knoweth not that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depth of Sheol_, Pr. 9^{17, 18}). But, in contrast, Wisdom--_Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: she hath killed her beasts, she hath made ready her wine, and furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens; on the highest parts of the city she crieth aloud, “Whoso is ignorant, let him turn in hither”; and to him that is void of understanding she speaketh, “Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have made ready”_ (Pr. 9^{1-5}). Ben Sirach knew that Wisdom was high, and he does not disguise that only by long, unwearying efforts can her favour be attained. But the reward, says he, outweighs the toil, and he bids men seek her: _At the first she will bring fear and dread upon a man and torment him with her discipline, until she can trust his soul and has tested him by her judgements_ (E. 4^{17}; cp. E. 6^{19-25}). Nevertheless, he says, _Come unto her with all thy soul, and keep her ways with thy whole power. Search and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee, and when thou hast hold of her, let her not go. For in the end thou shalt find her to be rest, and she shall be changed for thee into gladness. Her fetters shall be to thee a covering of strength, and her chains a robe of glory_ (E. 6^{26-29}).