The pleasing sound of my own voice
I’m rather puzzled about how I missed out on Wilkie Collins until I turned 40.
A contemporary, friend, and protege of Dickens, Collins (who is not, as far as I can tell, related to Bootsy Collins) can apparently be described as “opium-addled, but good.” I’ve only read (listened to, actually) The Woman in White and The Moonstone, but I’ve been enthralled by both.
Proverbs 6:23-26:
For the commandments are like a lamp,
instruction is like a light,
and rebukes of discipline are like the road leading to life,
by keeping you from the evil woman,
from the smooth tongue of the loose woman.
Do not lust in your heart for her beauty,
and do not let her captivate you with her alluring eyes;
for on account of a prostitute one is brought down to a loaf of bread,
but the wife of another man preys on your precious life.
I can’t help it, this made me think of Electric Light Orchestra’s song, Evil Woman. After you take a look at that, just shake your head and consider these questions:
Proverbs 6:20-22, from the NET Bible
My child, guard the commands of your father
and do not forsake the instruction of your mother.
Bind them on your heart continually;
fasten them around your neck.
When you walk about, they will guide you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
when you wake up, they will talk to you.