In one corner of the open space by the “gate” we notice a dignified figure, an old man with a circle of friends and listeners.  He is watching the varied scenes around him and occasionally talking with those about him.

“Who is that old man?” we ask.

“That is one of the wise men,” we are told.

These “wise men” among the Hebrews studied human nature, and gave to young men and to any less-experienced people who cared to listen, the benefit of their practical good sense.  They loved to teach through “proverbs,” that is, short and witty sentences.  A large number of the “proverbs” of these teachers are preserved in the Book of Proverbs in our Old Testament.

THE TEACHING OF THE WISE MEN

One of the most important keys to success in life is a knowledge of people.  This the wise men helped their students to obtain.  Let us sit for a while beside one of them and look through his eyes at the people who pass by.  Here comes young Mr. Know-it-all.  He wears a very fine garment, and walks with a swagger.  His father and mother and all his aunts and uncles have always told him that he is the most clever person in the world.  And, of course, he agrees with them.  He will listen to advice from nobody.  The wise man watches him pass, then says to his hearers: 

="Seest thou a wise man in his own conceit? 
There is more hope of a fool than of him."=
(=Proverbs 26. 12.=)

The wise man has a sense of humor.  He loves to smile at the little inconsistencies of life.  He has been listening to the talk between a merchant and his customer.  And this is his comment on it.

="It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: 
But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth."=
(=Proverbs 20. 14.=)

But though he is so quick to laugh at human follies the wise man has a tender heart.  He helps his hearers to sympathize with those who are anxious and discouraged.  And he knows the value of friendly encouragement.

="Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop;
But a good word maketh it glad."=
(=Proverbs 12. 25.=)

=A practical advice of the wise men.=—­With this knowledge of human nature these teachers were able to give much good counsel in matters of business.  For example, there were tricksters in those days just as now.  One of their favorite tricks was to persuade some “greenhorn” to act as surety for a loan.  “Just shake hands with me before witnesses,” the smooth tongued one would say, “and the banker will lend me money; there is a caravan of silks coming from Damascus which I can buy for a song.  We will both be rich.”  So the poor fool would shake hands before witnesses, which was like our modern custom of signing one’s name on a note.  The man would then take the money and disappear, leaving his victim to repay the loan or be sold into slavery.  “Be on your guard against these sharpers,” the wise men were constantly saying.