ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 345 



the scorner himself disdains the knowledge delivered. But 

 there is more danger in reproving a wicked man, who not 

 only lends no ear, but turns again, and either directly rails 

 at his admonisher, who has now made himself odious to 

 him; or, at least, afterward traduces him to others. 



VII. A wise son rejoices his father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to 

 his mother 10 



The domestic joys and griefs of father and mother from 

 their children are here distinguished; for a prudent and 

 hopeful son is a capital pleasure to the father, who knows 

 the value of virtue better than the mother, and therefore re 

 joices more at his son s disposition to virtue. This joy may 

 also be heightened, perhaps, from seeing the good effect of 

 his own management, in the education of his son, so as to 

 form good morals in him by precept and example. On the 

 other hand, the mother suffers and partakes the most in 

 the calamity of her son, because the maternal affection is 

 the more soft and tender: and again perhaps because she is 

 conscious that her indulgence has spoiled and depraved him. 



VIII. The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked 

 shall rot 11 



We have here that distinction between the character of 

 good and evil men, which usually takes place after death. 

 For in the case of good men, when envy, that pursues them 

 while alive, is extinguished, their name presently nourishes, 

 and their fame increases every day. But the fame of bad 

 men, though it may remain for a while, through the favor 

 of friends and faction, yet soon becomes odious, and at 

 length degenerates into infamy, and ends, as it were, in a 

 loathsome odor. 



IX. He who troubles his own house, shall inherit the wind 12 



This is a very useful admonition, as to domestic jars and 

 differences. For many promise themselves great matters 



10 Prov. x. 1. Prov. x. 7. 12 Prov. xi. 29. 



