Talking and Toiling
W. Clarkson Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury. These words contain solid and valuable truth; that truth does not, however, exclude the facts - I. THAT MUCH LABOUR IS WORSE THEN USELESS. All that which is conceived and carried out for the purpose of destruction, or of fraud, or of vice, or of impiety. Only too often men give themselves infinite trouble which is worse than thrown away, the putting forth of which is sin, the end of which is evil - misery or even ruin and death. II. THAT MUCH SPEAKING TENDS TO ENRICHMENT. There is a "talk of the lips" which is worthy of taking rank with the most profitable toil. 1. It may cost the speaker much care and effort and expenditure of vital force. 2. It may be a great power for good in the minds of men and even in the histories of peoples - "Like Luther's in the days of old, Half-battles for the free." 3. It may bring light to the darkened mind, comfort to the wounded heart, rest to the weary soul, strength and inspiration to the spirit that needs revival. But, on the other hand, the truth which the proverb is intended to impress upon us is this - III. THAT MUCH VERBIAGE IS VERY PROFITLESS AND VAIN. There is a "talk of the lips" that does indeed tend to poverty. 1. That which does nothing more than consume time. This is pure waste; and in "An age (like this) when every hour Must sweat her sixty minutes to the death," this can by no means be afforded. 2. That which gives false ideas of life; which encourages men to trust to chance, or to despise honest toil, or to hope for the success which is the fruit of chicanery and dishonesty, or to find a heritage, not in the consciousness of duty and of the favour of God, but in superficial and short-lived delights. IV. THAT CONSCIENTIOUS LABOUR IS THE ONE FRUITFUL THING. "In all labour there is profit." 1. Physical labour not only cultivates the field and builds the house and clothes the naked, but it gives strength to the muscles and health to the whole body. 2. Mental labour not only designs the painting, or the sculpture, or the oratorio, and writes the poem or the history, but it invigorates the mind and braces all the mental faculties. 3. Moral struggle not only saves from vice and crime, but makes the soul strong for noble and honourable achievement. 4. Spiritual endeavour not only refines the highest faculties of our nature, prepares us for the companionship of the holiest, and accomplishes the highest purposes of the Redeemer, but brings us into the favour and leads us into the likeness of God himself. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. WEB: In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.