Better. _He who hideth hatred is of lying lips._ The alternative is offered with a delicate touch of irony. He who cherishes hatred must choose between being a knave or a fool--a knave if he hides, a fool if he utters it.--_Plumptre._ _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 19-21. SPEECH AND SILENCE. +I. The wisdom of not always using the tongue when we might.+ "He that refraineth his lips is wise." The reputation of a good man may be much injured by even speaking the truth at certain times and to certain persons. The silence of a man who can speak wisely and eloquently is a revelation of self-control, and often adds more to the dignity of his character than words can. The Son of God "opened not His mouth" before His false accusers, and thus revealed His power of self-control--His moral majesty. That He could be silent in such circumstances is a manifestation of the deep ocean of conscious innocence within Him, and is an unparalleled exposition of His own precept, "In patience possess ye your souls." 1. _Silence is wisdom when we feel that speech would be useless to convince._ When we feel that a foregone conclusion has been arrived at which no argument or appeal could shake. This has been the case in the history of the confessors and martyrs of the Church in all ages, and was pre-eminently so when the Lord Jesus Christ stood to be tried before men who had determined to murder Him. 2. _Silence is sometimes more convincing than speech._ Men are often more impressed by acts than by words, by a spirit of forbearance than by a passionate vindication of our rights. 3. _Silence does not necessarily imply acquiescence._ The Eternal Himself is sometimes silent from displeasure. "These things hast thou done and I kept silence" (Psalm lv. 21).