2 Chronicles 10

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. X.—The best of rulers cannot give every one content. Men are readier to complain of the expense of government than to acknowledge the benefit which they receive from it: and turbulent and ungrateful spirits will find fault where they can scarcely find the shadow of a reason. Young heads are ordinarily too hot to be wise counsellors: and many ruin their own interests by trampling on and provoking their inferiors. Moderate counsels are generally the most safe and prudent. Soft answers disarm men’s passions, when harsh ones render them furious: and, when the affairs of church or state are in a ferment, rough proceedings do but make them worse and worse. Most men need no more to ruin them than to be given up to their own pride and passion. But O the wisdom and power of God, who can fulfil his counsels by men’s folly and fury! Very uncertain are all earthly enjoyments nor can the wisest secure them to his next heir. God often visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children: but, amidst all the heat of his anger, he never breaks his promise