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I. THE ATTAINMENT OF KNOWLEDGE. "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge," etc. It is suggested by the words that the attainment of knowledge requires two things.

1. A heart for it. "The heart of the prudent." There must, at least, be in every "heart," a consciousness of its need. The opinionated, self-sufficient man, who is wise in his own conceit, will never get knowledge. Though the sun of knowledge shine around him, its beams cannot enter him. All the shutters of his mental house are so closed by self-sufficiency that no rays can enter. A sense of ignorance is the first step to the attainment of knowledge.

2. An effort for it. "The ear of the wise seeketh knowledge." The ear is one of the great inlets. Wisdom does not come into the soul unless it is searched for as a "hidden treasure." Whilst all this is true of general knowledge, it is especially true of Divine knowledge.

II. THE POWER OF KINDNESS. "A man's gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men." There are two kinds of gifts, the gift of selfishness and the gift of kindness. A man sometimes bestows a favour on another in order to get back something of a higher value. This gift is a bribe. The gift of kindness is the true gift and the real power. It makes room for the giver in the heart of the receiver, and it bringeth him before truly great men. Great men recognise and honour the generous.

1. Kindness is the mightiest power.

2. Kindness is the Divinest power.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

WEB: The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.