The wisdom of the Apocrypha by L. Cranmer-Byng, C. E. Lawrence, and S. A. Kapadia

"The romance of the Oxford colleges" by Francis Henry Gribble is a historical and cultural account written in the early 20th century. It likely traces the traditions, personalities, and ideals that shaped Oxford’s colleges, presenting their past with a warm, anecdotal touch for readers curious about academic heritage and collegiate life. The opening of the work provided, however, presents an editorial preface to a “Wisdom of the East” volume on the Apocrypha and a substantial introduction that argues for renewed respect for these texts in light of modern scholarship. It stresses the Apocrypha’s ethical insight and practical guidance—especially in The Wisdom of Solomon and Ecclesiasticus—framing “wisdom” as duty, discipline, and a beacon of hope, while also noting the limitations and biases (such as harsh views of women) in some passages. Excerpts then personify Wisdom as a radiant, God-breathed spirit, contrast the fate of the righteous and the ungodly, admonish rulers to judge justly, and recount a noble prayer for wisdom. Further selections from Ecclesiasticus deliver compact maxims on fearing the Lord, honoring parents, humility, charity, friendship, speech, and self-restraint—practical counsel for everyday conduct. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Editor Cranmer-Byng, L. (Launcelot), 1872-1945
Author of introduction, etc. Lawrence, C. E. (Charles Edward), 1870-1940
Editor Kapadia, S. A. (Shaporji Aspaniarji), 1857-1941
LoC No. ca14000291
Title The wisdom of the Apocrypha
Original Publication London: John Murray, 1910.
Series Title The wisdom of the East series
Note "Owing to rigid limitations of space, some deletions have been necessary." --Note
Contents The wisdom of Solomon -- Ecclesiasticus.
Credits Carla Foust, Brian Coe and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Language English
LoC Class BS: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity: The Bible, Old and New Testament
Subject Wisdom literature
Category Text
EBook-No. 77250
Release Date
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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