Psalms 116:11

I said in my haste - This is variously translated: I said in my Light, Chaldee. In my excess, or ecstasy, Vulgate. In my ecstasy, , Septuagint. fi tahayury , in my giddiness, Arabic. In my fear or tremor, Syriac. I quoth in outgoing mine, when I was beside myself, Anglo-Saxon. In myn oute passyng , old Psalter. When passion got the better of my reason, when I looked not at God, but at my afflictions, and the impossibility of human relief.

All men are liars - col haadam cozeb , "the whole of man is a lie." Falsity is diffused through his nature; deception proceeds from his tongue; his actions are often counterfeit. He is imposed on by others, and imposes in his turn; and on none is there any dependence till God converts their heart.

"O what a thing were man, if his attires

Should alter with his mind,

And, like a dolphin' s skin,

His clothes combine with his desires!

Surely if each one saw another' s heart,

There would be no commerce;

All would disperse, And live apart."

Hebert.

To the same purpose I shall give the following Italian proverb: -

Con arte e con inganno,

Si vive mezzo l' anno.

Con inganno e con arte

Si vive l' altro parti .

"Men live half the year by deceit and by art;

By art and deceit men live the other part."

Who gives this bad character of mankind? Man.