This is designed to rectify men's mistakes concerning strife. 1. Men
think it is their wisdom to engage in quarrels; whereas it is the
greatest folly that can be. He thinks himself a wise man that is quick
in resenting affronts, that stands upon every nicety of honour and
right, and will not abate an ace of either, that prescribes, and
imposes, and gives law, to every body; but he that thus meddles is a
fool, and creates a great deal of needless vexation to himself. 2. Men
think, when they are engaged in quarrels, that it would be a shame to
them to go back and let fall the weapon; whereas really it is an honour
for a man to cease from strife, an honour to withdraw an action, to
drop a controversy, to forgive an injury, and to be friends with those
that we have fallen out with. It is the honour of a man, a wise man, a
man of spirit, to show the command he has of himself by ceasing from
strife, yielding, and stooping, and receding from his just demands, for
peace-sake, as Abraham, the better man, Gen. xiii. 8.