Book Title: Spiegel van het menselyk bedrijf : in kleuren vertoond met honderd verbeeldingen, van ambachten, konsten, hanteeringen en bedryven, met verzen / Jan en Kasper Luiken.

Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712

Image Title: The Needle Maker: The more guarded, The sooner prevented

Description: The needle maker uses a hammer and metal punch to pierce eyes in the pre-cut lengths of wire. A second worker files needle points; an apprentice turns a drive wheel, and two additional workers stand in the background. A coil of wire is suspended next to the window and various tools are strewn around. 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 Matthew 7:13-14. Motto: The more guarded, / The sooner prevented. Poem: One has heard a rough and horrible word /From the very sweetest mouth; /oh Eye of the needle, consider this! / Yet the unthinking mind aspires /To earthly riches, money, and goods,/And calls that obstacle a blessing. (Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker).

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