Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a
taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is
not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! (Habakkuk
2:6)
Not one of us should have to say the same thing to himself,
which he brings forward against others. For when any avaricious man proceeds
through right or wrong, as they say, when an ambitious man, by unfair means,
advances himself, we instantly cry, How long? and when any tyrant violently
oppresses helpless men, we always say, How long? Though every one says this as
to others, yet no one as to himself.
Let us therefore take heed that, when we reprove injustice
in others, we come without delay to ourselves, and be impartial judges. Self
love so blinds us, that we seek to absolve ourselves from that fault which we
freely condemn in others.
In general things men are always more correct in their
judgment, that is, in matters in which they themselves are not concerned; but
as soon as they come to themselves, they become blind, and all rectitude
vanishes, and all judgment is gone.
Let us then know, that this song is set forth here by the
Prophet, drawn, as it were, from the common feeling of nature, in order that
every one of us may put a restraint on himself when he discharges the office of
a judge in condemning others, and that he may also condemn himself, and restrain
his desires, when he finds them advancing beyond just bounds. (Commentaries)
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