Sermons Preached in Several Synagogues

upon our honour, our honesty, and our word. No ! we dare not look at those whom we have approached with a smile upon our lips, whose hands we have grasped with apparent friendship while we were placing a stone on their way in order to cause them to stumble, while we were preparing a snare in order to entangle them, while we were treacherously spreading calumnies which might damage their name, ruin their credit, and destroy their fame. No 1 we dare not look at those respectable houses, which we entered with the title of friends, and on which we have brought shame as well as the contempt of society. We cannot help blushing when we think of the use which we have made of the noble faculties with which we are endowed, and especially of that of speech. Our words, which ought to have been the bearers of friendship and consolation, have, like arrows, opened deep wounds ; they have, like poisoned daggers, pierced in the dark and caused death and destruction. We have been of those who " bend their tongues like their bows for lies." W1B HK 131T1 T?£) Dnep We have been of those who " deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth, who have taught their tongues to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity." § How many have we not grieved by our unguarded or cruel expressions 1 How many have we not offended by our pitiless and unjust Jerem. ix. 2. § Ibid. ix. 4. reproaches ? How much harm have we not done by divulging the secret faults of our neighbours,... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.