Homilist Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. I. THE TRUTH IS A PRECIOUS THING. "Buy the truth." What is truth? It is reality. In contradistinction to all that is fictitious and false. 1. Reality in relation to the chief good. What a number of false theories there are concerning human dignity and human happiness. Truth is the reality of these. 2. Reality in relation to personal conduct. There are hollow men, sham men. Truth makes men real. Brings their conceptions into perfect accord with eternal facts, and their personal conduct into perfect accord with their conceptions. Christ is embodied truth. The preciousness of this truth may be estimated by the influence it has exerted on the race. Intellectual truth is precious, moral truth is more precious, redemptive truth is more precious than all. II. TRUTH TO BE OBTAINED MUST BE PURCHASED. It can only be purchased by — 1. Study. 2. Devotion. 3. Labour. 4. Self-surrender. III. Truth once purchased SHOULD NEVER BE SOLD. "Sell it not." Truth can be sold. Judas sold it. It can be sold for power, for fame, for worldly pleasure, etc. "Sell it not." If you sell it, you sell your moral usefulness. You sell your self-respect. You sell your power of conscience. You sell your dignity. Hold it as Daniel, Stephen, and Paul held it. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.WEB: Buy the truth, and don't sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. |
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