17. As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him. Retaliation, not for private revenge, but as a measure of public justice, is demanded by the psalmist and deserved by the crime. Surely the malicious man cannot complain if he is judged by his own rule, and has his corn measured with his own bushel. Let him have what he loved. As he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. He felt no joy in anyone’s good, nor would he lift a hand to do another a service, but rather did he frown and fret when another prospered or mirth was heard under his window; what, then, can we wish him? Blessing was wasted on him; he hated those who gently sought to lead him to a better mind; even the blessings of providence he received with grumbling and repinings; he wished for famine to raise the price of his corn, and for war to increase his trade. Evil was good to him, and good he counted evil. To invoke blessings on such a man would be to participate in his wickedness; therefore let blessing be far from him, so long as he continues what he now is.
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