On the Unreasonableness and Folly of Glorying in the Possession of External Privileges and Advantages
W. Duff, M. A. Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus said the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might… I. THE UNREASONABLENESS AND FOLLY BOTH OF INDIVIDUALS AND OF COMMUNITIES GLORYING IN THE POSSESSION OF EXTERNAL PRIVILEGES AND ADVANTAGES. In fact, there is no passion in our nature which so effectually defeats its own end, or so completely mars the accomplishment of its object, as that of pride. Wherever respect is impudently claimed, even where there is real merit at the bottom, it is always reluctantly conferred. Our pride and self-love in turn take the alarm, and are hurt by the boldness of the claim. Competitors and rivals, envious of the merit, feel a malignant pleasure in disappointing the expectations of such candidates for fame. And as most men have a tincture of envy in their composition, it commonly happens that very few regret the disappointment. To obtain real, and, in general, unenvied praise, merit, however transcendent, must not be glaringly displayed, but in some measure exhibited under a veil; at least, it must be so judiciously and delicately shaded, as to moderate its lustre. II. THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF THE DUTIES OF RELIGION AND VIRTUE, WHILE THEY ARE THE ONLY TRUE FOUNDATION OF SELF-ESTEEM AND REAL GLORY, ARE LIKEWISE, CONSIDERED IN A NATIONAL VIEW, THE ONLY JUST OBJECTS OF PUBLIC RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE. Great intellectual endowments, and the performances to which they give birth, can only be regarded, when abstractly considered without respect to their application, as splendid monuments of human genius; when applied to bad purposes, they justly become the objects of our detestation; but the qualities of the heart, incorruptible integrity, for instance, disinterested benevolence, exalted generosity, and tender pity, irresistibly command the esteem, and conciliate the affection of all who have either seen or heard of such virtues being exemplified. (W. Duff, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: WEB: Thus says Yahweh, Don't let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, don't let the rich man glory in his riches;