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Atlas of Saints

Wisdom

Chapter 6 · Douay–Rheims / Challoner

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Chapter VI · Location 6 of 19

Chapter 6 · Open to read

From Wisdom · Douay–Rheims / Challoner (1749–1752)

What does Wisdom Chapter 6 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Rulers are indicted for failed judgment and warned about future scrutiny. The speaker describes seeking wisdom, discipline, love and incorruption. Promises to declare wisdom lead to praise of wise people and a wise king.

Chapter breakdown

Wisdom 6 addresses kings, judges and rulers pleased with multitudes, saying wisdom is better than strength. Their authority comes from the Lord, who shall search works and thoughts. As ministers of his kingdom they have failed judgment, law and God's will, and severe judgment awaits rulers. The little receive mercy and the mighty torment; God made small and great and cares equally, showing no fear or partiality toward rank. The powerful face greater punishment. The speaker urges learning wisdom, keeping just things, answering what is learned, and loving instruction.

Wisdom is glorious and unfading, seen by lovers and found by seekers. She anticipates them, sits at the early seeker's door, brings understanding through thought and security through watchfulness, and seeks worthy people cheerfully in their ways. Desire for discipline begins wisdom; care for discipline is love, love keeps her laws, lawkeeping grounds incorruption and nearness to God, and desire for wisdom leads to an everlasting kingdom. Those delighting in thrones and scepters are told to love wisdom and her light to reign forever. The speaker promises to declare wisdom's origin, not hide God's mysteries, trace her beginning and keep truth. Consuming envy cannot share wisdom. A multitude of wise people is the world's welfare and a wise king upholds the people. No named speaker is supplied here, nor guaranteed political peace or cure of anxiety.

The story inside

Opening: Rulers are indicted for failed judgment and warned about future scrutiny. Development: The speaker describes seeking wisdom, discipline, love and incorruption. Conclusion: Promises to declare wisdom lead to praise of wise people and a wise king.

Lessons worth keeping

  1. 1
    Rulers are indicted for failed judgment and warned about future scrutiny.
  2. 2
    The speaker describes seeking wisdom, discipline, love and incorruption.
  3. 3
    Promises to declare wisdom lead to praise of wise people and a wise king.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

  1. Lines 71924–71925

    For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works: and search out your thoughts:
  2. Lines 71934–71935

    For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.
  3. Lines 71952–71953

    Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her.
  4. Lines 71976–71977

    Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.
  5. Lines 71992–71993

    Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.

Location: chapter 6 of 19 · 32%

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