The Generous and the Ungenerous
Homilist
Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh.


I. A GENEROUS DISPOSITION IS A BLESSING TO ITS POSSESSOR.

1. A merciful man doeth good to his intellectual faculties. It is a psychological fact that the intellect can only see clearly, move freely, and progress vigorously as it is surrounded by the atmosphere of disinterested affection. Selfishness blinds, cripples, enervates the intellect.

2. A merciful man doeth good to his moral sentiments. Conscience approves only of the actions that spring from love.

II. AN UNGENEROUS DISPOSITION IS A CURSE TO ITS POSSESSOR. Unmercifulness of disposition breeds the fiends of envy, jealousy, malice, remorse, fear, suspicion, pride, that torment the soul.

(Homilist.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

WEB: The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.




Religion and Self-Interest
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