Proverbs for politicians: How to serve others with wisdom

by Doug Clark, Greensboro News-Record, July 16, 2014.

In the age of Twitter, a candidate calls his opponent a “deranged, unhinged, pathological liar.”

In an age of wisdom, it was written, “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”

Modern politicians could learn a lot from the Old Testament Proverbs, the collection of wise sayings mostly attributed to King Solomon.

Ol’ Sol never lost an election. Well, he didn’t have to run. His dad, David, made him king. He knocked off a few rivals to secure his throne and forged some political alliances through marriage -- not models to emulate today.

More positively, he was given a good dose of smarts by the Almighty, and he left astute advice for others who would hold high office.

The proverb cited above is important when campaigns get overheated, like the just-concluded runoff primary battle between Phil Berger Jr. and Mark Walker.

Walker came out on top in the vote totals, but trading insults with Berger wasn’t the wisest way to go. Wars of words tend to escalate, and insults stick. That’s why Solomon said the prudent man just overlooks them.

Here’s more free advice that’s better than anything a slick campaign consultant can offer:

* “An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.”

Slandering a rival, or making false promises, will come back to bite a candidate when his deceptions are discovered. Voters will reward the candidate who speaks from her heart and tells the truth.

* “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

Candidates should show voters what they have done to improve the general condition rather than boast about what they will do if put into power. They might be trying to promote themselves at the voters’ expense.

* “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Ours won’t become a better country if our leaders appeal to the public’s worst instincts or try to turn one group of people against another.

* “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Don’t trust politicians who act as if they’re offended by straightforward questions or respond with sarcasm or ridicule. One who can answer with grace and humor, on the other hand, earns respect.

* “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Elected leaders represent the people. The biggest mistake they can make is to ignore the will of those they serve.

* “A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.”

“Bribes” can also mean campaign contributions from people who want to advance their own interests. It will not improve a politician’s fortunes, or his family’s, in the long run to give in to influence-peddlers.

* “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.”

Beware any candidate who insists he has never changed his mind and never will. Who wants a representative who won’t listen or a leader who won’t learn?

* “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

When a leader considers himself a ruler, it’s time to replace him.

* “He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.”

Don’t trust politicians who try to raise themselves up by putting others down, especially those who are powerless.

* “Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool — how much worse lying lips to a ruler!”

Those in high places should be held to the highest standards.

* “A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.”

The key thought here is justice, which is what all leaders should desire for their people. Any hidden agenda that obstructs justice is like accepting a bribe in secret.

* “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.”

Voters should be less impressed by candidates who are first to state the strongest position than by those who take time to form a well-reasoned position.

* “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.”

Politicians are free with promises when running for office, but make sure they really have the means to deliver.

* “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

Successful leaders aren’t necessarily the ones who rise the highest, but those the people regard as having served them well.

http://www.news-record.com/add/article_83b728ae-0c6a-11e4-ab2f-001a4bcf6878.html