Solomon's System of Self-Defense
Story★★★★Illustration 12. A young man enquired of his pastor, “Do you think it would be wrong for me to learn the noble art of self-defence?” His pastor re- plied, “Certainly not. I learned it in youth myself, and found it of great value in life.”
The young man said, “Indeed, sir! What system did you learn?” He replied, “I learned Solomon’s system, laid down in the first verse of the fifteenth chapter of Proverbs: ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath.’ It is the best system of self-defence of which I have ever heard.”
Out of the more recent past comes another example of the same spirit. Euclid, the founder of the Megaric sect of philosophers was one day reproached by his brother for a fancied affront.
His brother said in great anger, “Let me perish if I be not avenged on thee.” To this Euclid made this noble reply, “And let me perish if I do not subdue your resentment by forbearance and make you love me as much as ever.” Question 11 You are talking to a boy or to a girl of the adolescent period. Would it be fitting to use this illustration in conversing with either?
State the reasons for your decision.
The point
When a young man asks about learning self-defense, his pastor shares Solomon's method: a soft answer turning away wrath is the best defense of all.