Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Proverbs (part 2) - Live Long and Prosper

Wikipedia/Beowulf and the dragon
“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

The Book of Proverbs begins by giving such advice to a young man starting out in life - going out the door.  (Young ladies, too.)

Before walking down that road -

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9  (NIV)


Several verses in Proverbs repeat this advice to the young person.  It must be important.  Indeed as Tolkien wrote - it is a dangerous business going out your door.

And in other literature and stories, similar advice is given to the younger generation.  An example of such - a father's instruction to his son -  is read below in the poem,  IF, by Rudyard Kipling :



And by listening to the wise parent or guardian, comes this promise:

My son, do not forget my teaching,
   but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years

   and bring you peace and prosperity.
Proverbs 3:1-2 (NIV)

 A shortened version is this traditional religious Jewish blessing -

Live long and prosper.

Sound familiar?

We may know it as a Vulcan greeting from Star Trek.  And it may be no coincidence that the actor, Leonard Nimoy, who first played Mr. Spock, and made this phrase well know, again, is Jewish.
[reference:  Live long and prosper - origin]

Whether the 10th century B.C. or the 23rd century A.D. ... on planet Earth or Vulcan or anywhere in the universe, this blessing is timeless and universal.

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
   but the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

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Related Links -

Lessons in Manliness From the Greatest Generation | The Art of Manliness

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Previous post in the series:

Proverbs (part 1) - Information vs. Wisdom (2013)

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Photo from:
Wikipedia/Beowulf and the dragon

2 comments:

  1. Good word, and timely for a generation of young adults who today entering the world. A world that holds many temptations for both male and female young adults to be carried away in.

    Sadly, the only wisdom the vast majority of them have gained is from the indoctrination into hedonism they received from k-12 public school, and or more from whatever college they may have studied at.

    Most of these young adults entering the world of their future, could probably recite whole sections of the movie, "The Lord of the Rings". I wonder how many realize it was an analogy of a humans battling the temptations of the world that could lead you to hell, or victory over those temptations that will lead to eternal life in with Christ in heaven?

    God bless you sister,
    Chuck N

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comments.
      Live Long and Prosper.

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