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1. This maxim is justified by the description which Jeremiah gives: "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?" For if it be indeed such as it is there represented, assuredly the heart cannot be trustworthy. And that the prophet's description is but too correct must appear abundantly evident to all who have ever sincerely and seriously engaged in the difficult task of self-examination. The very difficulty of the task proves how full the heart which is the subject of it must be of treachery and of secret vice.

2. This maxim is also abundantly justified and confirmed by universal experience, and may be illustrated experimentally.

I. One striking proof we have in OUR PRONENESS TO RELAPSE INTO SINS OF WHICH WE FANCIED, PERHAPS, THAT WE HAD LONG AGO FAIRLY REPENTED. He makes at once his prompt yet firm choice between God and the world. But soon his evil heart of unbelief tempts him again to depart from the living God.

II. Another practical and experimental proof of the wise man's assertion we have in THE VARIOUS TURNS OF THE BELIEVER'S STRUGGLE WITH INDWELLING SIN.

III. We pass from the Christian's continual struggle with the sin that dwelleth in him to THE RESOLUTE STAND WHICH HE IS CALLED UPON TO MAKE AGAINST THE EVIL THAT IS IN THE WORLD. Confessing that our corrupt inclinations still long for certain forbidden indulgences, we yet heedlessly loiter still within sight and within reach of the glittering prize, though we feel our longing becoming daily more intense, and our power to resist it daily giving way.

IV. One other instance of this folly we may mention: OUR PRONENESS TO RELY ON THE AMOUNT OF OUR ATTAINMENTS, THE SUFFICIENCY AND THE STABILITY OF OUR OWN CONSCIOUS AND CONFIRMED INTEGRITY. We easily forget the imperfection which adheres to our best services and our best qualities, and please ourselves with the idea that some one favourite Christian virtue, at least, is now strong enough for any emergency. And from the very instant in which such an idea begins to prevail between us, that particular virtue may be pronounced the feeblest and most precarious of all that we have. A slight change of circumstances — some very trifling accident, unforeseen and unexpected — a new temptation suddenly assailing us — may lay the proud structure in the dust, and teach us how vain it is to trust in any degree of excellence, in any height of Christian perfection.

(R. S. Candlish, D.D.)

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KJV: He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

WEB: One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.