The word of the day is “but.”  Almost all people thrive when there is order in society, but hardly anyone can prosper when chaos rules.  We naturally seek balance and equilibrium and consider harmony to be beautiful, right, and true.   Today in our reading of Proverbs 3:21-4:7  we find that symmetry is built into the structure of the sayings of wisdom.  For example, our reading begins, “Surely He [God] scorns the scornful” (vs. 3:34).  Here we discover a basic underlying sense of justice.  It is only right that those who scoff at others will themselves be scoffed (Strong’s #3887, 191).  Today we will analyze some selected sayings of our reading to illustrate this sense of righteousness.  Then we will reflect…