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Literary
February 9, 1816
Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
An essay praising Solomon's Proverbs for their timeless wisdom, practical sense, and accurate portrayal of human foibles and virtues, from moral lapses to ideal diligence and womanly piety, arguing their value even secularly.
Merged-components note: Direct textual continuation of the essay 'The Brief Remarker' from the Connecticut Courant across pages; merging as a single literary piece.
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From the Connecticut Courant.
THE BRIEF REMARKER.
Of the whole list of those Brief Remarkers, whose remarks are worthy of notice, Solomon is entitled to stand at the head. His proverbs contain more of original sketching, more sound practical sense, a more full development of the foibles and faults of our nature. a more clear and accurate description of men and things, and a better body of maxims even regarding worldly affairs, than can be found in any other book, ancient or modern; so that this little tract. independently of its claims to divine inspiration, and of the abundance of its moral and religious instruction, is well worth the being deeply studied and even learned by heart. for the lights and cautions and stimulations it furnishes us with in respect to our secular concerns.
Had these proverbs come down to us from the pen of an ancient Grecian or Roman or Chinese philosopher. or had the original manuscripts been dug out of the ruins of Herculaneum, the literati everywhere would have perused them with admiration.
What is worthy of particular remark with regard to them is, that though they were penned more than three thousand years past and in an inland country of Asia, yet they portray, in many instances. men and things, just as if the originals of the portraitures had been taken in the very age and from the very country in which we live.
When we see a young man. who is well endowed with the gifts of nature. yield himself up, soul and body, to the enticements of pleasure, and sink far below worthlessness : we find his exact counterpart in the little manual of which I am treating : and we find there, also, her exact counterpart, whenever we see a woman of loose morals and profligate manners.
When we see persons careless and improvident, neglectful of the business of their calling, borrowing and never paying: running needlessly into debt, and paying little or no regard to their promise—we here find them pencilled limb for limb.
When we see a man strike hands with a stranger, become surety for a heavy debt in behalf of one he knows not, or in whose integrity and circumstances he has no just ground of confidence; we here find him portrayed.
When we see tattlers and tale-bearers buzzing off private anecdotes and family secrets till they have set a whole neighborhood in a flame ; we can easily find their picture in the book.
If we hear a buyer and a seller fib, in making their bargains ; the former setting the article far below its real value, and the other as far above it—pe may find their picture also in the book. It is nought, it is nought, says the buyer : but when he goeth his way, then he boasteth.
If we pass by a farm that is wretchedly cultivated, that is overgrown with thorns and nettles, or with brambles and bushes, and into which every mischievous animal has free ingress thro' the chinks of the broken fences : we may find that farm and the occupant.
Solomon has admirably hit off both the farm and the occupant.
If we see a man reeling in the streets, --his eyes bloodshotten his countenance swollen and livid, and his whole visage loathsome ; and babbling and quarelling as he reels with the accuracy of truth by the pencil there find the picture of this man, drawn of the same artist.
On the other hand, when we see a man "diligent in his business" temperate, frugal, honest, punctual; and see him, by these worthy means. and by the blessing. of God, pass gradually from low estate to plenteousness of worldly comforts; we may there likewise find his respectable likeness, exhibited for practical imitation.
Last--not least—when we see a woman who feareth the Lord : who openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in whose tongue is the law of kindness; whose
Suavity of temper and manner makes
well ordered home man's best delight:
who pours precious instruction into the
minds of her infant progeny: who looks
well to the ways of her household
and is a discreet as well as faithful man-
ager of its concerns: when we see such a
woman--and, thank God, many such a
one--it is only for us to turn our eyes to this an-
cient picture-book, and we shall there
find a striking likeness of her.
With this character Solomon concluded
his sketches; and he seems to have ex-
erted the whole power of his talent, and
the utmost skill of his pencil, to do it
justice.
THE BRIEF REMARKER.
Of the whole list of those Brief Remarkers, whose remarks are worthy of notice, Solomon is entitled to stand at the head. His proverbs contain more of original sketching, more sound practical sense, a more full development of the foibles and faults of our nature. a more clear and accurate description of men and things, and a better body of maxims even regarding worldly affairs, than can be found in any other book, ancient or modern; so that this little tract. independently of its claims to divine inspiration, and of the abundance of its moral and religious instruction, is well worth the being deeply studied and even learned by heart. for the lights and cautions and stimulations it furnishes us with in respect to our secular concerns.
Had these proverbs come down to us from the pen of an ancient Grecian or Roman or Chinese philosopher. or had the original manuscripts been dug out of the ruins of Herculaneum, the literati everywhere would have perused them with admiration.
What is worthy of particular remark with regard to them is, that though they were penned more than three thousand years past and in an inland country of Asia, yet they portray, in many instances. men and things, just as if the originals of the portraitures had been taken in the very age and from the very country in which we live.
When we see a young man. who is well endowed with the gifts of nature. yield himself up, soul and body, to the enticements of pleasure, and sink far below worthlessness : we find his exact counterpart in the little manual of which I am treating : and we find there, also, her exact counterpart, whenever we see a woman of loose morals and profligate manners.
When we see persons careless and improvident, neglectful of the business of their calling, borrowing and never paying: running needlessly into debt, and paying little or no regard to their promise—we here find them pencilled limb for limb.
When we see a man strike hands with a stranger, become surety for a heavy debt in behalf of one he knows not, or in whose integrity and circumstances he has no just ground of confidence; we here find him portrayed.
When we see tattlers and tale-bearers buzzing off private anecdotes and family secrets till they have set a whole neighborhood in a flame ; we can easily find their picture in the book.
If we hear a buyer and a seller fib, in making their bargains ; the former setting the article far below its real value, and the other as far above it—pe may find their picture also in the book. It is nought, it is nought, says the buyer : but when he goeth his way, then he boasteth.
If we pass by a farm that is wretchedly cultivated, that is overgrown with thorns and nettles, or with brambles and bushes, and into which every mischievous animal has free ingress thro' the chinks of the broken fences : we may find that farm and the occupant.
Solomon has admirably hit off both the farm and the occupant.
If we see a man reeling in the streets, --his eyes bloodshotten his countenance swollen and livid, and his whole visage loathsome ; and babbling and quarelling as he reels with the accuracy of truth by the pencil there find the picture of this man, drawn of the same artist.
On the other hand, when we see a man "diligent in his business" temperate, frugal, honest, punctual; and see him, by these worthy means. and by the blessing. of God, pass gradually from low estate to plenteousness of worldly comforts; we may there likewise find his respectable likeness, exhibited for practical imitation.
Last--not least—when we see a woman who feareth the Lord : who openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in whose tongue is the law of kindness; whose
Suavity of temper and manner makes
well ordered home man's best delight:
who pours precious instruction into the
minds of her infant progeny: who looks
well to the ways of her household
and is a discreet as well as faithful man-
ager of its concerns: when we see such a
woman--and, thank God, many such a
one--it is only for us to turn our eyes to this an-
cient picture-book, and we shall there
find a striking likeness of her.
With this character Solomon concluded
his sketches; and he seems to have ex-
erted the whole power of his talent, and
the utmost skill of his pencil, to do it
justice.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious
What keywords are associated?
Solomon Proverbs
Moral Wisdom
Human Foibles
Biblical Teaching
Timeless Advice
Practical Maxims
Virtuous Woman
Literary Details
Title
The Brief Remarker.
Subject
On The Timeless Wisdom Of Solomon's Proverbs
Key Lines
It Is Nought, It Is Nought, Says The Buyer : But When He Goeth His Way, Then He Boasteth.
When We See A Woman Who Feareth The Lord : Who Openeth Her Mouth With Wisdom, And In Whose Tongue Is The Law Of Kindness;
Suavity Of Temper And Manner Makes Well Ordered Home Man's Best Delight:
Who Pours Precious Instruction Into The Minds Of Her Infant Progeny: Who Looks Well To The Ways Of Her Household And Is A Discreet As Well As Faithful Manager Of Its Concerns