When you remain calm and strong in a desperate situation, you can help like an angel*
Yes, being calm usually helps you to think more clearly, and thinking is often a good idea, whether the situation is desperate or not. I don't know what else to say.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Let sweetness in my thoughts, words and actions be the most visible of all virtues*
I don't think I've ever really thought about which virtues ought to be more visible than which other ones. Unless the virtue inherently has something visible about it, I'm not convinced it matters. I don't see why honesty, for example, shouldn't be just as visible as "sweetness", whatever that's meant to mean in this saying.
Something from the Bible:
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”—Matthew 6:5–6 (NLT)
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Where there is determination, success will become the garland around your neck*
I'm not sure if constant determination guarantees constant success, but I think constant determination will ensure that you eventually succeed at most things. I'm still a bit too unwell to come up with any coherent comments about whether that success will or should be visible to everyone, like a garland is.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Everyone enjoys the company of a soul who is light*
I assume this is trying to say that people like other people to have a sense of humour. It's hard to argue with that.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Truth is like the sun: it cannot remain hidden; it will always shine through eventually*
I've had a headache all day, so I might not be very articulate right now. That reminds me of this:
Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”—Luke 12:1–3 (NLT)
And also this amazing picture that was featured on Wikipedia a day or two ago.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Learn from others rather than criticise them. They are giving you free instruction!*
Indeed, you can learn a lot from other people's mistakes, by observing for yourself what happens, and by listening to the advice of people who have made or observed those mistakes. You don't have to make every mistake for yourself.
Criticism is another way to learn. If you try something new (or even something old), you can ask for polite criticism from someone more experienced, or someone who might see things in a different way from you. Don't be afraid to return the favour if they ask you to, or even if you know them well, and can criticize in a way you know they'll find helpful. And don't forget that praise of good things can teach (and encourage) them, too, not just criticism of things that can be improved.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Contentment arises from a peaceful heart and a tranquil mind*
We already talked about contentment in relation to self-esteem, on the sixth of January. I'm not sure how much more I can say about contentment. I suppose it is related to a peaceful heart and a tranquil mind, but I'm not convinced that it's a result of them. I'm more inclined to think it's a cause of them, or perhaps the same thing as them. Regardless of all that, if you aim for a peaceful heart and a tranquil mind in an attempt to become content, I don't think you'll find you've reduced the problem to something easier to achieve.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
The essence of wisdom is using what we know and confessing to what we do not know*
This is good advice. Don't forget to use what other people know, too. Although I'm too tired to find an example at the moment, Proverbs talks a number of times about how wise people often keep their mouths shut. This affords them an opportunity to learn even more from other people, and from observing things they might not have noticed if they were busy talking.
Proverbs says quite a lot about wisdom, actually. I recommend it. In particular, chapter 8 is written from the point of view of wisdom herself.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
In silence we find a solution to every problem*
You know, I spent quite a lot of time yesterday thinking about problem number four on my number theory assignment. Some of the time I was thinking in silence, some of the time I was listening to music. I probably occasionally talked to myself, too. I eventually solved the problem when I was listening to music.
Sure, sitting and taking time to think about something can often help solve problems. By not acting on every thought as soon as it comes to you, you give yourself a chance to consider what the possible consequences are. I'm not sure that such a sweeping statement about "every problem" is warranted, though.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Give charity from the heart with sweetness and selflessness*
And tact. Some people don't like to think of themselves as needing charity. I suppose you'd call it pride. If someone refuses charity, then it's probably not a good idea to try to force it on them. Continuing to be their friend is still a good idea, though.
Perhaps it would also be a good idea to accept charity with gratefulness and humility when you need it, and even when you don't need it, if it'll help significantly.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Make good thoughts the treasures of your life and you will become prosperous*
Is this trying to suggest that if you put a high value on good thoughts, then you'll have lots of good thoughts, or lots of money, or both? What kind of good thoughts is it talking about? Wishing other people well? Wishing yourself well? Appreciating beauty?
It's very difficult to decide what I think of this one, except that it's quite unclear (to me, at least). If nothing else, it reminds me of something Jesus said:
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”—Matthew 6:19–21 (NLT)
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Where there is self-mastery, the face sparkles with confidence and shows no sign of struggle*
I assume that self-mastery is similar to what I'm used to calling self-control. If so, then in my experience it requires frequent struggle with desires that you don't want to indulge. The suggestion that such struggle will never show in your face seems absurd, to me.
Perhaps self-mastery refers to more than just self-control. Maybe it involves control over the external circumstances that affect you, too, like how other people treat you, or your health, or natural disasters. This seems a bit much to hope for. If mere self-control was good enough for Jesus, then why isn't it good enough for us?
At that time some Pharisees said to him, “Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!”
Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem!”—Luke 13:31–33 (NLT)
And later:
Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”
He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.—Luke 22:39–44 (NLT)
He knew he was going to be killed. He probably knew it would be by crucifixion, in which you finally suffocate when your legs no longer have the strength to lift your body enough to let air into your lungs for another breath. He didn't want to go through that suffering. But he willingly went to Jerusalem for it, instead of running away and hiding.
That is self-control.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
