Psalms 116:11
Verse 11 I said in my haste - This is variously translated: I said in my Light, Chaldee. In my excess, or ecstasy, Vulgate. In my ecstasy, εκστασει, Septuagint. fi tahayury, in my giddiness, Arabic. In my fear or tremor, Syriac. I quoth in outgoing mine, when I was beside myself, Anglo-Saxon. In myn oute passyng, old Psalter. When passion got the better of my reason, when I looked not at God, but at my afflictions, and the impossibility of human relief. All men are liars - כל האדם כזב col haadam cozeb, "the whole of man is a lie." Falsity is diffused through his nature; deception proceeds from his tongue; his actions are often counterfeit. He is imposed on by others, and imposes in his turn; and on none is there any dependence till God converts their heart. "O what a thing were man, if his attires Should alter with his mind, And, like a dolphin's skin, His clothes combine with his desires! Surely if each one saw another's heart, There would be no commerce; All would disperse, And live apart." Hebert. To the same purpose I shall give the following Italian proverb: - Con arte e con inganno, Si vive mezzo l'anno. Con inganno e con arte Si vive l' altro parti. "Men live half the year by deceit and by art; By art and deceit men live the other part." Who gives this bad character of mankind? Man.
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