To him that is willing to learn, the proverbs promise rich and wonderful reward, and the New Testament repeats the promise: _God scorneth the scorners, But He giveth grace to the lowly_ (Pr. 3^{34}).[149] _If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, And the Lord shall give it unto thee freely_ (E. 1^{26}).[150] Thus far the subject is familiar. Twice already reference has been made to this virtue of Learning-Ever. Impenitently we bring it up again, seeing that the Jewish proverbs are most urgent on the matter and also that men to-day stand in no small need of the counsel. For all its vaunted liberty of thought, our age is by no means patient of personal criticism, doubtless because owing to the swift and amazing increase in control of material resources it has been peculiarly successful in certain directions (not, however, the most important); and the success has made us vain. To know a little about the universe (and we know no more) is a very dangerous thing. But observe how from the initial grace of an eager, receptive attitude towards life, other virtues naturally appear. Frankly and patiently to recognise one’s errors is to increase in wisdom, to learn before it is too late, to see the pitfalls one has narrowly escaped, and so to be humbled, to feel the sense of a great forgiveness vouchsafed to the simple-hearted, and accordingly to be grateful and to be happy: _He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into calamity_ (Pr. 28^{13, 14}).