The duty of curbing anger is emphasised in several telling proverbs. Doubtless the evil consequences of unbridled passion are more evident among the quick-tempered peoples of southern and eastern lands; but the northerner is apt to be sullen, and perhaps what he gains by initial restraint he loses through the permanence of his indignation. Who dare affirm that a warning against wrath is not sorely needed in all lands and all centuries? What havoc has been wrought in human affairs by passion, be it sullen or sudden! Not even poverty is chargeable with causing more pain and misery. In delivering their admonitions the Wise took up no specially exalted standpoint: they were content to note the plain consequences of anger--its disastrous effect on society, _An angry man stirreth up strife and a wrathful man abounds in transgression_ (Pr. 29^{22}, cp. 15^{18}); and how that the angry man (too weak to conceal his emotions, _A fool uttereth all his anger but a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it_ [Pr. 29^{11}]), must himself suffer in the end, _He that is soon angry will deal foolishly and a man of wicked desires is hated_ (Pr. 14^{17}). And again to much the same effect they said in a phrase that has become immortal, _He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that controlleth his temper than he that taketh a city_ (Pr. 16^{32}). How excellent that last proverb is! “So hot, little man, so hot?” The British Government has discovered the uses of advertisement for thrusting facts before the unobservant: one may disapprove the practice but not on the ground that it is ineffective. What if this proverb (and a few other valuable sayings that the Jewish Sages could supply) were to appear one fine day on a million placards throughout the Kingdom? Would the money go wasted, or would there be the swiftest and most economical reform on record? [Sidenote: III OF SPEECH] Closely associated with restraint of passion is restraint of speech, a duty which is considered in several forceful proverbs: _Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof_ (Pr. 18^{21})--_He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction_ (Pr. 13^{3}). Of the specious dignity that silence for a time confers, they said with truth and humour: _Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise; when he shutteth his lips he is esteemed as prudent_ (Pr. 17^{28}). On the other hand, speaking the right word at the right time won their keen approval. Was it not the very art in which they themselves sought to excel? _A man hath joy in the answer of his lips, and a word in due season how good it is_ (Pr. 15^{23}). * * * * *