_indifferent,_ that it be in no way offensive to virtue, religion, or good manners; that it be in no way vexatious to others, and that too much time be not spent in this way. 3. _In discourse upon the affairs and characters of others._ Consider, first, that though it is equally of bad consequences to society that men should have either good or ill characters which they do not deserve, yet when you say some good of a man which he does not deserve, there is no wrong done him in particular; whereas, when you say evil of a man which he does not deserve, here is a direct formal injury done to him. Secondly, a good man will, upon every occasion, and often without any, say all the good he can of everybody, but, so far as he is a good man, will never be disposed to speak evil of any, unless there be some other reason for it besides barely that it is the truth.--_Bishop Butler._ Verse 20. If, as regards this world's wealth, the Lord's poor must say, "Silver and gold have I none," at least they may scatter _choice silver_ with a widely extended blessing. "As poor, yet making many rich" (Acts iii. 6; 2 Cor. vi. 10).--_Bridges._ _A wicked man hath his worst side inward._ Though sinful persons make never so great a show on the outside, yet there is nothing within them worth anything. To that purpose tend the words of the Apostle collected out of the Psalms: "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise to be but vain." If the point had stood upon man's opinion there might easily have been an error in it; but he bringeth the testimony of God, upon sure and infallible knowledge, to confirm it. . . . Therefore, do not too much magnify and admire them, nor too far depend on them. For better things are not certainly to be expected from them than are in them.--_Dod._ The antithesis runs through every word of both clauses. The tongue, the instrument of the mind, is contrasted with the mind itself; the just with the wicked; the choice silver with the worthless "little." In each case there is implied an _a fortiori_ argument. If the tongue is precious, how much more the mind! If the heart is worthless, how much more the speech!--_Plumptre._