| The Way of Victory |
Chapter 1 |
Page 5 |
It is worth our while to study what the Bible says about happiness and how to get it. Most people want to be happy, and strive to be so, but there are very many who miss the mark and never get what they seek. But those who follow the Bible rules for happiness will never be disappointed. We shall soon find, however, that these are not the rules which the world’s people follow. “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom” is one of the Bible counsels. Wisdom is not merely knowledge. A man may know so much that he is a walking encyclopcedia and yet not be happy. He may pursue knowledge into all its nooks and hiding-places, dig it out of the rocks, extract it from the minerals, gather it from flower and plant and tree, and draw it down from among the stars and yet not find happiness. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge applied to life. He has found wisdom who has learned to live well. To live well is to live according to God’s laws, which are summed up in one word, love — love to God and love to man. No one is happy who does not recognise God as his Father, Saviour, King, and do His will. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” No one can be really happy who does not love his fellow-men and give out his life in the service of those who need his help.
“To help somebody up” is a far truer, surer way to happiness than most people suppose. Happiness never is found in selfishness. Those who seek it in thinking and toiling and striving only for themselves will have a vain quest. It never lies that way.
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