Proverbs 27:21 [As] the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so [is] a man to his praise.
Ver. 21. As the fining pot for silver, &c.] Man is naturally apt to be much taken, and even tickled, with his own commendation, a as Felix was with Tertullus's flatteries, as was Demosthenes when they pointed at him as he passed by, and said, This is that famous orator. b But "let every man prove his own works," saith Paul, Gal 6:4 and testimonium tibi perhibeat conscientia propria, non lingua aliena, saith Augustine: Let thine own conscience, and not another man's tongue praise thee. Or if needlessly they will do it, let it refine us, as here, to more humility, and more care of sound holiness; let it, by the refining pot, melt us and make us better. This is the right use of it.
a ηδιστον ακουσμα ο επαινος. - Xenophon.
b ουτος εστιν ο Dημοσθενης .