The lips of knowledge (a good understanding to guide the lips and a
good elocution to diffuse the knowledge) are to be preferred far before
gold, and pearl, and rubies; for, 1. They are more rare in themselves,
more scarce and hard to be got. There is gold in many a man's pocket
that has no grace in his heart. In Solomon's time there was plenty of
gold (1 Kings x. 21) and abundance of rubies; every body wore them;
they were to be bought in every town. But wisdom is a rare thing, a
precious jewel; few have it so as to do good with it, nor is it to be
purchased of the merchants. 2. They are more enriching to us and more
adorning. They make us rich towards God, rich in good works, 1 Tim. ii.
9, 10. Most people are fond of gold, and a ruby or two will not serve,
they must have a multitude of them, a cabinet of jewels; but he that
has the lips of knowledge despises these, because he knows and
possesses better things.