Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 24:94 (Apr 1867)
Article: Gnomological Verses
Author: Leonard Withington

BSac 24:94 (April 1867) p. 263

Gnomological Verses

Rev. Leonard Withington

Examples of gnomological of poetry have been handed down to us from antiquity. It is not more true that mankind have delighted to record their moral observations in proverbs than it is that they have endeavored to preserve those observations in verse. There is a collection of such γνῶμαι from the Greek poets, called Gnomici, in which vitae praecepta utilissima traduntur, which have a point and a pith to them always interesting. They are to be distinguished from the epigrams, though they often resemble them, the border being somewhat indistinct and varying. Indeed the ancient and modern epigram differs. In modern times it must have wit; it must convey a sarcasm; it must raise a smile; but among the ancients it was only a well-turned sentiment, concisely expressed. One of the most beautiful of the old epigrams is the following; it is what almost every worldling has experienced: “When I was young I was poor; when old I became rich; but in each condition I found disappointment. When the faculties of enjoyment were bright, I had not the means; but when the means came, the faculties were gone.” Which may be thus versified:

O life, unfriendly still to human joy,
How do thine arrows every “stage annoy!
In youth my passions were by want restrained,
And passion died in age when wealth was gained :
Through joys half finished all our days are run,
And closed in disappointment, as begun.

The following may serve as an example of a modern epigram. A poor man had his Bible stolen from him. The following lines appeared, addressed to the thief:

BSac 24:94 (April 1867) p. 264

“You saint and scamp! In vain my fancy tries
To find the true meridian of your zeal:
How could you steal a book you did not prize?
And if you prized the book, how could you steal? “

We have specimens of gnomological verses, modern as well as ancient. There used to be a book taught in the schools called Cato’s Distichs, of which the following is a specimen :

“Donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos;
Tempora si nubila, solus eris.”1

Some of Dr. Franklin’s versified proverbs in Poor Richard’s Almanac are examples:

“I never saw an oft removèd tree,
Nor yet an oft removed family,
That throve so well as those who settled be.”

The homeliness of these lines is intended, and increases the beauty, for they have a true proverbial dress. Some of Trench’s are exquisite, as the following:

“When you have most explored your windin...