The Careless Carefulness
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Careless Carefulness
Scripture Reference:
- Matthew 12 (further images / scripture text)
Description: A man is warned by a passer-by that coins are escaping from the bag he is carrying under his arm. In the background a city canal with a high bridge. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant scripture text is Matthew 12:36.
Poem:
Who would scatter his money, and becomes annoyed,
When he is favored with a warning,
From somebody, who walks behind him?
On the contrary his response is
A friendly word of gratitude,
Following good judgment and reason.
But should someone drop,
Something more precious,
Than Gold and Silver can ever be,
The Words of the ruptured soul,
And he is warned,
Then his displeasure is to be feared.
So that experience tells us,
That everyone loves his Money purse more,
Than the great importance of the Soul’ life;
Because it is always heard so,
That each must for every vain word,
Once give accounting.
When someone values his Lord’s money,
Placed in his hand under penalty,
How can it then be,
That the open mouth, through bad advice,
Drops so many words,
Without fearing the highest judgment?
Because he who gives the power of speech,
In each one living on earth,
Such is his demand and holy will,
That such an inheritance given him,
Is saved with care,
And that nobody needlessly squanders it.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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