See here, 1. Who are the men that are dangerous to the public--scornful
men. When such are employed in the business of the state they do things
with precipitation, because they scorn to deliberate, and will not take
time for consideration and consultation; they do things illegal and
unjustifiable, because they scorn to be hampered by laws and
constitutions; they break their faith, because they scorn to be bound
by their word, and provoke the people, because they scorn to please
them. Thus they bring a city into a snare by their ill conduct, or (as
the margin reads it) they set a city on fire; they sow discord among
the citizens and run them into confusion. Those are scornful men that
mock at religion, the obligations of conscience, the fears of another
world, and every thing that is sacred and serious. Such men are the
plagues of their generation; they bring God's judgments upon a land,
set men together by the ears, and so bring all to confusion. 2. Who are
the men that are the blessings of a land--the wise men who by promoting
religion, which is true wisdom, turn away the wrath of God, and who, by
prudent counsels, reconcile contending parties and prevent the
mischievous consequences of divisions. Proud and foolish men kindle the
fires which wise and good men must extinguish.