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My vote for the wisest person since Solomon, and deserving of the Wise Guy award, goes to Francis Quarles. His maxims flowed out of him effortlessly, and ranging from the political to the pious, they deserve in every way to be called proverbs.
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WISE GUYS - Francis Quarles
April 14, 2009
Francis Quarles (1592 - 1644) was a Royalist with 18 children, who incredibly still found time to think and ponder and write. Unfortunately, today he is virtually unknown to contemporary readers. Maybe we can change that a little. Alexander Grossart in 1880 had a desire to give Quarles another chance with the public by compiling the complete works.
And in a glowing tribute to Quarles, Grossart asks him (as though he were still alive and could pick up the three volume collection and personally read it!) to not be put off by "the slant-browed fools who would not have thee (Quarles) read."
May the following examples keep us from becoming such fools, and may we recognize his writing for what it is - true wisdom.
On self-examination:
Demean thy self more warily in thy study, than in the street. If thy public actions have a hundred witnesses, thy private have a thousand. The multitude looks but upon thy actions: thy conscience looks into them: the multitude may chance to excuse thee, if not acquit thee; thy conscience will accuse thee, if not condemn thee.
On excessive drink:
Of all vices take heed of drunkenness. Other vices are but fruits of disordered affections. This disorders, not just that - banishes reason. Other vices but impair the soul, this demolishes her two chief faculties - the understanding and the will. Other vices make their own way. This makes way for all vices. He that is a drunkard is qualified for all vice.
Laughing at ourselves:
If thou seest any thing in thy self, which may make thee proud, look a little further, and thou shalt find enough to humble thee. If thou be wise, view the peacock's feathers with his feet, and weigh thy best parts with thy imperfections. He that would rightly prize the man, must read his whole story.
On the danger of philosophy:
Make philosophy thy journey, theology thy journey's end. Philosophy is a pleasant way, but dangerous to him that either tires or retires. In this journey, it's safe neither to loiter or to rest, till thou hast attained thy journey's end. He that sits down a philosopher, rises up an athiest.
A healthy view of prayer:
Let not the necessity of God's decree discourage thee to pray, or dishearten thy prayers. Do thou thy duty, and God will do his pleasure. If thy prayers make not him sound that is sick, they will return, and confirm thy health that art sound. If the end of thy prayer be to obtain thy request, thou confinest him that is infinite. If thou hast done will, because thou were commanded, thou hast thy reward, in that thoui hast obeyed. God's pleasure is the end of our prayers.
On balancing work and leisure:
Make thy recreations servants to thy businesses, lest thou become slave to thy recreations. When thou goest up into the mountain, leave this servant in the valley. When thou goest to the city, leave him in the suburbs. And remember, the servant is not to be greater than his master.
Lastly, why the Bible is the best book:
Reverence the writings of holy men, but lodge not thy faith upon them, because but men. They are good pools, but no fountain. Build on Paul himself no longer than he builds on Christ. If Peter renounces his master, renounce Peter. The word of man may convince reason, but the word of God alone can compel conscience.
And in a glowing tribute to Quarles, Grossart asks him (as though he were still alive and could pick up the three volume collection and personally read it!) to not be put off by "the slant-browed fools who would not have thee (Quarles) read."
May the following examples keep us from becoming such fools, and may we recognize his writing for what it is - true wisdom.
On self-examination:
Demean thy self more warily in thy study, than in the street. If thy public actions have a hundred witnesses, thy private have a thousand. The multitude looks but upon thy actions: thy conscience looks into them: the multitude may chance to excuse thee, if not acquit thee; thy conscience will accuse thee, if not condemn thee.
On excessive drink:
Of all vices take heed of drunkenness. Other vices are but fruits of disordered affections. This disorders, not just that - banishes reason. Other vices but impair the soul, this demolishes her two chief faculties - the understanding and the will. Other vices make their own way. This makes way for all vices. He that is a drunkard is qualified for all vice.
Laughing at ourselves:
If thou seest any thing in thy self, which may make thee proud, look a little further, and thou shalt find enough to humble thee. If thou be wise, view the peacock's feathers with his feet, and weigh thy best parts with thy imperfections. He that would rightly prize the man, must read his whole story.
On the danger of philosophy:
Make philosophy thy journey, theology thy journey's end. Philosophy is a pleasant way, but dangerous to him that either tires or retires. In this journey, it's safe neither to loiter or to rest, till thou hast attained thy journey's end. He that sits down a philosopher, rises up an athiest.
A healthy view of prayer:
Let not the necessity of God's decree discourage thee to pray, or dishearten thy prayers. Do thou thy duty, and God will do his pleasure. If thy prayers make not him sound that is sick, they will return, and confirm thy health that art sound. If the end of thy prayer be to obtain thy request, thou confinest him that is infinite. If thou hast done will, because thou were commanded, thou hast thy reward, in that thoui hast obeyed. God's pleasure is the end of our prayers.
On balancing work and leisure:
Make thy recreations servants to thy businesses, lest thou become slave to thy recreations. When thou goest up into the mountain, leave this servant in the valley. When thou goest to the city, leave him in the suburbs. And remember, the servant is not to be greater than his master.
Lastly, why the Bible is the best book:
Reverence the writings of holy men, but lodge not thy faith upon them, because but men. They are good pools, but no fountain. Build on Paul himself no longer than he builds on Christ. If Peter renounces his master, renounce Peter. The word of man may convince reason, but the word of God alone can compel conscience.
