1. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.” It is not in the power of kings (much less of other men) either to doe, or to design, what they please: but their very wills are subject to the great Lord of all; who diverts them as easily from what they intend, or inclines them to that which they resolve against; as the Gardiner draws the streams of water, through the trenches he cuts, unto what part of the ground he thinks good.
2. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.” There is nothing that a man doth or designs (especially if he be great and potent) but (such is the fond affection he hath for himself) he fancies it to be exactly good: when in the account of the Lord, who searches into the secrets of men’s Souls, and knows the just value of everything, they are very defective, if not grossly wicked.
14. “A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.” Men do not love to be thought so weak, as to doe anything for money; but such is its power, if it be secretly conveyed, that they will resign their strongest resentments to it: their anger, for instance will yield to a gift; nay, a rich present, prudently placed, will extinguish that wrath, which was thought implacable.
23. “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” He that is wary and cautious in his talk, thinking seriously before he open his mouth, and taking care to offend neither God nor man by what he speaks, preserves his mind from a great deal of trouble, and himself from dangerous distresses.
30. “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.” It is folly to design anything which is not approved by the Lord: for let it be managed with all the skill that natural sagacity, long study and experience can furnish men withall; with the most prudent foresight also of all contingencies; and with mature and deliberate advice about the most effectual means, and with due application of them to the end; they all signifie nothing, when they oppose the counsels and decrees of Heaven.
31. “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.” Nor is power and force, though never so great, more significant than counsel and advice: For after an army of Horses, and Chariots, and valiant Souldiers, are set in battel array, they can give no security of Victory, without the divine favor and help; from whom alone therefore both safety and prosperous success is to be expected.
S. Patrick (1683)