August 20

August 20

Unreliables

...leaders who lie lose the ability to lead.


Proverbs 17
7 Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

Some things do not ever have to be commented upon and this proverb is certainly no exception. It is a verbal caricature. As we read it stirs up images of those we have known whose faces have been indelibly emblazoned upon our memories. Which of us have not already formed an image of the arrogant ruler like Mussolini dressed in military garb, arms crossed and head tilted back looking down on the world with a haughty gaze? Actually, Mussolini did a few good things for Italy until his arrogance undid him and this intelligent man was shown to be a fool. The image is iconic and no doubt there are many we have known who had some redeeming qualities who destroyed it with their arrogance. Likewise leaders who lie lose the ability to lead. Some have tried to get back to former glories but it never works. No doubt, Solomon, who started well learned this lesson by experience.