Note 63 — Chapter VIII · The Ideal

Toy justly remarks, “The motive here assigned—fear of Jehovah’s displeasure—belongs to the ethical system of Proverbs. But this motive does not impair the dignity of the moral standard presented. Jehovah’s displeasure is the expression of the moral ideal: it is one’s duty, says the proverb, not to rejoice at the misfortunes of enemies. This duty is enforced by a reference to compensation, but it remains a duty.”