(_b_) THINGS TO AVOID. Much can be learnt regarding the ideals of the Wise by observing what they counselled men to shun. Thus the sayings on the Sluggard (p. 128) might be used to show how they hated Indolence: _As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him_ (Pr. 10^{26}). They censured Disdain and Pride: _He that despiseth his neighbour is void of wisdom_ (Pr. 11^{12})--_Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall_ (Pr. 16^{18}). Ingratitude is dealt with in a restrained but memorable saying, _Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart out of his house_ (Pr. 17^{13}); and there are these two splendid proverbs against Revenge, _Say not, “I will recompense evil”: wait on the Lord, and he will save thee_ (Pr. 20^{22})--and _Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he is overthrown, lest the Lord seeing it be displeased, and transfer his anger from him to thee_ (Pr. 24^{17-18})[63]. Recall, by way of contrast, the terrible Italian proverbs quoted in Chapter I. (p. 23); remember the innate ferocity, derived from the ancient custom of the Desert vendettas, that has always characterised the quarrels of the near East; and the wonder of such generous and noble exhortations as these in the Jewish proverbs cannot fail to be perceived. Here is a vice which the Wise counted worse even than anger: _Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming but who can stand against Jealousy_ (Pr. 27^{4})? They repeatedly point out the evil of contentiousness: _As coals to the hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife_ (Pr. 26^{21})--_It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool sheweth his teeth_ (Pr. 20^{3}). One proverb makes use of two curious similes to enforce the lesson, _Lay thine hand upon thy mouth; for, as the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and as wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood, so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife_ (Pr. 30^{33}) and another with a touch of dry humour remarks, _He seizes a dog by the ears who meddles with a quarrel not his own_ (Pr. 26^{17}), _i.e._, having once taken hold he cannot let go! What the Wise thought of Slander and of Flattery has been indicated sufficiently in the preceding chapter. Dissimulation and Treachery stirred them to a fine contempt: _Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel plated with silver. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but layeth up deceit within him: when he speaketh fair, believe him not; for in his heart are seven abominations. Though his hatred cloak itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the congregation_ (Pr. 26^{23-26})--brave words and vigorous! One feels very sure that the Empire which betrayed its mind in the Hymn of Hate would need to show more than the penitence of fair words on fervent lips before it could hope for clemency from this Sage.