Matthew 21:17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Domestic life. like all other external goods, is not necessarily, and of itself, but only under certain conditions, in particular circumstances, a real advantage, and a source of true felicity. Only there where wisdom and virtue dwell, where intelligent well-meaning persons live together, only there dwell peace, satisfaction, and joy. Wherever domestic happiness is found, it shows us persons who are connected together by real, intrinsic love and friendship, who live entirely by each other, and who seek their happiness, their honour, and their force, in the mutual union of their hearts. Domestic happiness supposes a taste for truth, for nature, for graceful simplicity, for serene repose, as they are in contrast with error and art, studied and forced pleasures, and the more ostentatious and poignant diversions. 1. The comfort of domestic life is the most agreeable relief from the burden and heat of the day and its frequently tiresome business. 2. The happiness of domestic life is quiet, peaceful self-enjoyment; a self-enjoyment that is multiplied and ennobled by the intimate participation in all the concernments of this trusty society. 3. The happiness of domestic life is the delightful, free, and intimate association between harmonious and mutually loving souls. 4. The happiness of domestic life is inexhaustible. It renews itself daily, it multiplies itself without end. 5. The happiness of domestic life compensates the want of any other; but no other can compensate the want of that. 6. The enjoyment of domestic happiness is always not less edifying and useful than pleasant. 7. To the enjoyment of domestic happiness, no troublesome, no expensive preparatory provisions and arrangements are needful. 8. The enjoyment of it is never attended by satiety or disgust, by sorrow or remorse. 9. The happiness of domestic life is restricted to no class of men. It is attached neither to station, nor to opulence, nor to elevation and power; confined neither to the palace nor to the cottage. (C. J. Zollikofer.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.WEB: He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there. |
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