Her ways are sometimes on hot coals and to burning stakes. If there is anything unpleasant in her way, it is to promote wisdom and so to promote more "pleasantness" another time. _All_ her paths peace, or "prosperity." More thoroughly "all" of them than in the case of pleasantness. While the happiness of a Christian may flag in this world, his "prosperity" never stops a moment. His "way" is prosperous, _i.e._, he gains by every inch.--_Miller._ Both the way and the end to which the way leads is peace. There are many ways in the world pleasant but not safe; others safe but not pleasant.--_Fausset._ Verse 18. Like that planted in Paradise and promised by Christ to all that overcome.--_Wordsworth._ It is remarkable that this and other references in Proverbs xi. 30, xiii. 12, xv. 4, are the only allusions in any book of the Old Testament, after Genesis, to the "tree" itself, or to its spiritual significance. . . . The tree of life which Adam was not to taste lies open to his children. No cherubim with flaming swords bar the approach. Wisdom is the tree of life giving true immortality.--_Plumptre._ Wisdom beareth not her fruit for everyone. She is a tree of life to them that _lay hold_ of her, not to them that touch her with a light hand, that seek after her in a perfunctory manner, that think a little wisdom, a little godliness, to be sufficient for them.--_Jermin._ The tree of life was the means ordained of God for the preservation of lasting life, and continual vigour and health, before man sinned. So true wisdom maintains man in the spiritual life of God's grace, and the communion of His Spirit.--_Diodati._ One view of man's true dignity arises from the amount of his susceptibilities of enjoyment on the one hand, of suffering on the other. Think of what man was, of what he is, of what he is capable of becoming. His capabilities are such that nothing beneath God Himself can satisfy them. His soul can be filled from no created fountain. Wisdom provides for him a portion adequate to his most unbounded desires, to his most expanded capabilities.--_Wardlaw._ As the tree of life in Paradise, which was a sign of God's favour, or the tree which sweetened the waters of Marah, or the tree seen in the Revelation, or any living or good tree which bringeth forth fruit whereby men live.--_Muffet._ _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 19, 20. ONE OF THE PROOFS OF GOD'S WISDOM. +I. God had a personal existence before the world.+ If we say that a man founded an institution--built a house--we imply that he existed before the institution or the house, and that he exists as a separate entity from that which he has built or founded. +II. The world did not come by chance+--it is not an orphan; it had a Creator, a Father. The world is not eternal. The Lord founded it. He "laid the foundations of the earth" (Job xxxviii. 4).