Article June 25, 1966 Issue

Wise and Harmless

VIOLA P. SONESON

In approaching business or personal problems, how do we quench those quick conclusions ignited, perhaps, by apparent insults to our well-intended actions? The answer appears in Jesus' words, "Be ye ... wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matt. 10:16;

In the country where Jesus lived and worked, the serpent and the dove were familiar creatures. The serpent was often used in the Bible as an example of adroitness and perceptive wisdom. The dove was frequently the picture of innocence and harmlessness. Therefore Jesus' hearers understood that the simile was used to show the necessity for perfect balance of these qualities in human thought.

Through the study and application of Christian Science we can learn that the virtues of harmlessness and wisdom are as applicable today as they were in the time of Jesus. For instance, since speech is the usual method of interchange of ideas among men, it should be used wisely, for words cannot be retracted after once having been loosed.

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