“Without deliberation, plans come to nothing.” Proverbs 15:22.
Success is the result of ambition, goals, plans and execution.

“With me in them and you in me, may they be completely one.” John 17:23.
True unity means diversity of parts and action but singleness of goal.

“When a man has a ready answer, he finds joy too.” Proverbs 15:23.
A ready answer is well thought out and satisfactory to the speaker and listener.

“If you want me, let these go.” John 18:9.
Jesus protects his apostles to the very last moment even though they run off.

“A fitting answer always satisfies.” Proverbs 15:23.
An answer well fitted to the question is an intellectual creation.

“Ask those who heard me what I taught. They know what I said.” John 18:21.
How forcefully Jesus stands in the court and voices his convictions.

“The heart of the just man meditates on kind actions.” Proverbs 15:28.
Kindness proceeds from the inner personal values of a man.

“Yes, I am a king. For this was I born, to bear witness to the truth.” John 18:37.
The kingdom of Jesus is truth - all truth.

“A kind glance gives joy, and good news brings firmness to the bones.” Proverbs 15:30.
An encouraging smile can make hard work easier and weakness becomes strength.

“The person who listens to wholesome correction is at home in the company of the wise.” Proverbs 15:31.
Constructive criticism, given and accepted, is a major part of wisdom.

“Behold the man.” John 19:5.
Behold the King of Peace, Love, Unity, Ambition, Energy and Drive!

“He who rejects discipline, hurts his own self.” Proverbs 15:32.
The undisciplined person is the victim of his volatile emotions.

“We have no king but Caesar.” John 19:16.
In the presence of Jesus, the reality, they chose the imitation king.

“The person who listens to correction wins the ability to think for himself.” Proverbs 15:32.
The ability to think freely, logically and effectively is a process learned from the guidance of others.

“Son, behold your mother.” John 19:26.
Mary alone stood faithful to her son when all others had deserted.

“Better to have little with justice than great income illegally.” Proverbs 16:8.
The security of a peaceful conscience outweighs all the silver and gold.

“It is fulfilled.” John 19:30.
Not “It is done,” but now everything is set to go forward.

“Pride goes before destruction and arrogance before the fall.” Proverbs 16:18.
Awareness and appreciation of one’s true worth gives the stability needed for success.

“Gentleness in speech makes your words the more persuasive.” Proverbs 16:21.
When your speech is calm and gentle, people listen to what you say rather than how you say it.

“My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36.
Jesus reassured Pilot by stressing the central point of his message.

“Kind words are honeycomb: sweet to the taste, wholesome to the body.” Proverbs 16:24.
Kindness of speech assures that people will not be sidetracked from the message.

“What is truth?” John 18:38.
This question could be asked each day and answered anew each day.

“A worker‘s appetite works for him. His empty stomach drives him on.” Proverbs 16:26.
The necessities of life can be the starting point of our ambition but they should not be the outer limits.

“What is truth?” John 18:38.
Truth is the uncovering of all that reveals the greatness of man in the plan of God.

“Rather meet a bear robbed of its cubs than a fool and his folly.” Proverbs 16:25.
Folly is rashness, a lack of insight and foresight, an unthinking haste.

“Woman, behold your son!” John 19:26.
Mary introduces her son at Cana; Jesus gives his mother to the world on Calvary.

“The crown of the aged is their children‘s children. The children‘s glory is their father.” Proverbs 17:6.
Family solidarity assured stability, growth and progress.

“A friend is a friend at all times.” Proverbs 17:17.
Friendship is tested, purified and made strong by the hardships borne together.

“Mary“... “Master.” John 10:16.
The sudden return of love, faith, hope and joy for Mary.

“A man who can control his tongue has knowledge.” Proverbs 17:27.
The first step in all knowledge has to be a deepending self-knowledge.

“Peace be with you.” John 20:2.
Jesus is with them - evening, joy, peace and contentment.

“To answer without first listening is folly that leads to confusion.” Proverbs 18:13.
A wise man attempts no reply until he has heard the person out.

“Simon, do you love me more than all of these?“ John 21:15.
Peter had been proud, had bragged, feared, lied three times and deserted. What a record!

“Where reflection is lacking, zeal often goes astray.” Proverbs 19:2.
Zeal that is not well planned often becomes an overbearing tyranny.

“Our love is not to be just words or mere talk.” John 3:18.
Insincerity, shallowness, superficial feelings are condemned totally by Christ.

“It is to a man‘s honor if he avoids a quarrel.” Proverbs 20:3.
A calm discussion brings growth; a heated quarrel invites destruction.

“The idler does not plow. At harvest time he looks...Nothing there.” Proverbs 20:4.
You will get what you give. If you do not work, you will not produce.

“Since God has loved us so much, we, too, should love each other.” 1 John 4:11.
People attract God’s love. Then surely people should love people.

“Gold and pearls may abound: but the priceless ornament is lips that speak knowledge.” Proverbs 20:15
The sharing of ideas, ideas, goals, ambitions, failures and successes is the jewel without price.

“In love there is no fear.” 1 John 4:18.
Fear restricts but love is expansive, courageous and outgoing.

“In an emergency a man shouts “I promise“ but thinks only after he acts.” Proverbs 20:25.
Hasty actions get quick results but often end in sadness and disappointment.

“Anyone who says he loves God and hates his brother is a liar.” 1 John 4:20.
Sincere love of God starts with people.

“A wise ruler winnows the troublemakers and turns their efforts back on them.” Proverbs 20:26.
Harmony demands that leaders remove obstacles as soon as possible.

“Unless I see, unless I feel, I refuse to believe.” John 20:25.
Thomas is stubborn but his stubbornness is reassuring.

“To make a fortune with a lying tongue is building on the emptiness of daydreams.” Proverbs 21:6.
One lie demands another until a chain is forged around the deceiver.

“Better to live in the corner of the roof than share a house with a nag.” Proverbs 21:9
A persuasive tongue leads to action but a nagging tongue leads to frustration and anger.

“If we cannot be condemned by our own conscience, we need never fear God.” 1 John 3:21.
Be convinced, live by your convictions, and face all the ideals of your life.

“Better to live in the desert than with an irritable nagging person.” Proverbs 21:19.
As lack of rain makes the barren desert, to the negative prodding of the nagger causes failure.

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8.
Observe true love in husband and wife, parent and children, and know God.

“The desires of the lazy man destroy him because his hands do no work.” Proverbs 21:25.
The more the lazy person wants, the more costly and irritating his laziness becomes.

“God is love and anyone who lives in love, lives in God.” 1 John 4:15.
What a beautiful, powerful and simple formula of life.

“The wise man sees danger and seeks shelter.” Proverbs 22:3.
Foresight, insight and hindsight are the three kinds of vision necessary to live wisely.

“We are to love because God loved us first.” 1 John 4:19.
Our inner self respect must be firm and solidly grounded.

“The unwise man seeks danger, forges ahead and is destroyed.” Proverbs 22:3.
Foresight looks ahead; insight sees the present; hindsight learns from the past.

“Anyone who does not love his brother whom he can see cannot love God whom he has never seen.” 1 John 4:20.
No greater dilemma has faced man and it is in every action.

“Get rid of the mocker and quarreling, dispute and abuse disappear.” Proverbs 22:10.
The man who ridicules is twice damned. He interferes with others and himself fails.