Besides the numerous maxims in _Proverbs_ and _Ecclesiasticus_, there are some interesting popular proverbs in the historical and prophetical books of the Old Testament. To these a part of Chapter IV. will be devoted. Occasional references will also be made, especially in the second half of the book, to proverbial sayings taken from the Rabbinical literature of the Jews. The titles of Chapters XIII. to XX. sufficiently indicate the nature of their contents, and require no further comment here. In translating the proverbs the Revised Version has been used as a basis, but liberty has been exercised in making any alterations that seemed desirable on textual or literary grounds. Most of the changes thus introduced will readily explain themselves to those who are acquainted with the original texts or may care to consult modern commentaries, such as that of Professor Toy on _Proverbs_ (International Critical Commentary) and of Dr. Oesterley on _Ecclesiasticus_ (Cambridge Bible Series). Any volume, such as this, that touches a wide range of subjects must have correspondingly many obligations. I welcome this opportunity of recording my gratitude to the authors whose writings are referred to in the following pages, and in particular I desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Right Rev. E. L. Bevan’s illuminating work on the Hellenistic period, to the writings of Professor Toy and Dr. Oesterley mentioned above, and to Professor C. F. Kent’s short study and analysis of _Proverbs_ in his book _The Wise Men of Ancient Israel_. W. A. L. E. Christ’s College, Cambridge. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PROVERBS 13 II THE PROVERBS OF THE JEWS 28 III FORGOTTEN YEARS 43 IV THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS 60 V IRON SHARPENETH IRON 75 VI A SOWER WENT FORTH TO SOW 100 VII MEN AND MANNERS 108 VIII THE IDEAL 136 IX THE EXALTATION OF WISDOM 166 X THE HILL “DIFFICULTY” 178 XI HARVEST 194 XII VALUES 214 XIII NATURE IN THE PROVERBS 229 XIV HUMOUR IN THE PROVERBS 237 XV FROM WISDOM’S TREASURY 245 XVI THE BODY POLITIC 248