Who can help me to understand this Proverb?

[Kopaka]

Bible
King James Ver.
Proverbs 25:27

"It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory."


I just feel like I am missing out on this one. I usually can understand the message in a Proverb. Somehow this one hasn't registered in the understood column, so to speak.

Insight Welcomed, K for good responses

 

[jerkbox]

i would think it has something to do with vanity

 

[HumorMe]

It means to be humble in life.

Don't seek glory in the things you do. Do them out of love for others.

 

[Code]

Searching for glory for the sake of glory is vain. Thus it's bad.

 

[Becoming]

i would think it has something to do with vanity

yes... and not even the most blatant vanity... rather someone that revels in meaningless victories...

say you have a guy who is a skilled boxer and who takes on competition that is below him... actively "seeking out glory" for himself (rather than a challenge or as a means to better himself- and the "glory" being a secondary aspect which occurs because of the other interest)... he "eats much honey" and that is not good (gets fat off the meaningless victories)... and the "glory" he achieves is worthless... it is apparent that such behavior has no honor...

to seek glory for its own sake is a worthless and empty prospect... if it occurs as a side of some other motivation, it will not harm you...



on a side I would say this also leads into the phenomenon of "power corrupts" and when people who are successful get enamored with their own legend- which usually leads to their downfall....

 

[MAX 300]

Ok, NIV translation reads:

It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one's own honour.

Essentially the writer is saying that if you are seeking to glorify yourself - or please yourself - than this is not seen as glorious or pleasing by God.

 

[SoreArms]

Reveling in my own glories is what gives me motivation to keep going and improve

 

[Razorguns]

it means:

"Move on. You're not smart enough to understand this book".

 

[HumorMe]

it means:

"Move on. You're not smart enough to understand this book".

Kind of like your understanding of all those entreprenurial books that you read on how to make money in business.

 

[Razorguns]

>Kind of like your understanding of all those entreprenurial books that you read on >how to make money in business

How do you know I'm *not* successful right now? You don't know me! You don't know ME!!!

 

[HumorMe]

>Kind of like your understanding of all those entreprenurial books that you read on >how to make money in business

How do you know I'm *not* successful right now? You don't know me! You don't know ME!!!

Well, you got me there. You rule.

I was judging you by the crap you post on the "how to make money" threads that dot this board every now and then.

P.S. You do know that every post has a quote button you can click on instead of copying and pasting everytime you want to respond to a certain person. Just thought I would let you know that.

 

[Robert Jan]

yeah tis about vanity

 

[out_at_sea]

Ok, NIV translation reads:

It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one's own honour.

Essentially the writer is saying that if you are seeking to glorify yourself - or please yourself - than this is not seen as glorious or pleasing by God.

Bingo.....

 

[jerseyart]

The second part has been explained already. To seek the approval of men (honor or glory) is a foolish pursuit. Context is important. All glorly belongs to God. So to seek it is essentially to place yourself in competition with the Creator.

Further Judeo christian beliefs are clear in their instruction to seek God's approval, and only God's approval. The point being what do you care what someone else thinks of you, when it is only God's approval that matters.

Honey is common and easily obtained now, but it was more precious then and a rare sweet (ie land of milk and honey). I think the reference to "not eating too much honey" is an admonition not to seek out the comforts and honors of this world, or to revel too much in things of this world, because it is all passing. Instead fill yourself with God.

 

[Devastation]

gluttony and pride are bad

 

[thekingster]

Bible
King James Ver.
Proverbs 25:27

"It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory."


I just feel like I am missing out on this one. I usually can understand the message in a Proverb. Somehow this one hasn't registered in the understood column, so to speak.

Insight Welcomed, K for good responses

In the New Living Translation, this verse is rendered:
27Just as it is not good to eat too much honey, it is not good for people to think about all the honors they deserve.

Too much of a good thing can be bad. Eat a little honey, enjoy it's natural benefits---eat too much, injest too much sugar. Similarly, a little self esteem is not a bad thing - but goading one's self...it's just like too much sugar.

Interesting...Proverbs are great pithy statements of life - who here, whose married, hasn't felt this sentiment from the same chapter:
24It is better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a contentious wife in a lovely home.

With that...I better quit,
Steven King
The Kingster
U.S. Army Healthcare, Budding Fitness Guru

 

[Y_lifter]

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

Not good — For health.

To search — Industriously to seek for applause.

Is not — Is not only sinful, but shameful also.

 

[gab9681]

Searching for glory for the sake of glory is vain. Thus it's bad.

Yup, that is how I see it. You can't search for glory, it must find you.

 

[Nubly]

"It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory."

well going by the catholic upbringing i had: honey is something good. "you cant have much of a good thing". the second part: dont do something for yourself. do something for someone else. oh screw it, im not much good at reading the fiction in the bible

 

[digger]

Wait a sec, it doesn't say you have to do great works "for someone else;" it says you shouldn't do them in pursuit of glory, meaning praise from others.

That still leaves open the doing of great things for their own sake, or even for your own satisfaction, as long as that satisfaction is not based on glory in the eyes of others. (See Rand, The Fountainhead)

 

[The Shadow]

Bible
King James Ver.
Proverbs 25:27

"It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory."


I just feel like I am missing out on this one. I usually can understand the message in a Proverb. Somehow this one hasn't registered in the understood column, so to speak.

Insight Welcomed, K for good responses

Covers one of the seven deadly sins - vanity.


Just like a bit of honey tastes good...too much of a good will leave you sick.

Men seeking their own glory will find a displeasure

 

[jerseyart]

The Shadow wrote,

Covers one of the seven deadly sins - vanity.

Arguably the first as well. Pride is what led Adam and Eve to the fall from grace.

 

[sh4dowf4lcon]

There were some good posts on this Proverb. I personally have a better understanding of the Proverb after reading this thread.

Being vain, self centered and greedy will leave you feeling empty, lonely, and sick spiritually. Doing good things for the satisfaction of doing good, is honorable.

 

[GoldenDelicious]

basically, its good to be tough, but going out looking for trouble to prove that youre tough is wrong

even though everyone got in first

 

[thelegacy again]

Good question bro--EAting honey is analogous to enjoying the sweetness of your own self-glory. According to Christian doctrine self-seeking and pride bring one down. In other words be Humble.