The Knife Maker
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Knife Maker
Scripture Reference:
- Proverbs 1 (further images / scripture text)
Description: The knife maker sharpens the blade of a knife in front of his shop window. Outside, two men test the sharpness of a knife. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing this emblem and for creating the motto and poem that follow. Jan Luiken and/or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708) were responsible for its etching. The attendant scripture text is Proverbs 1:29-33.
Motto:
Where laughter is,
Crying is near.
Poem:
The knife, in the wrong hand,
Creates a dangerous state:
Therefore that play is taken from the child:
So it is, that what goes according to wish,
In the world’s wellbeing, for man,
Only leads to great misfortune.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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Rights Status: No Copyright - United States
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