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No Shortcuts To Smarts
BY
Andy Bustanoby
(C) November 26, 2005



   You've probably gotten a lot of spam like this:

                             UNIVERSITY DIPLOMAS

   OBTAIN A PROSPEROUS FUTURE.  MONEY-EARNING POWER, AND THE PRESTIGE THAT
   COMES WITH HAVING THE CAREER POSITION YOU'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF.
   DIPLOMAS FROM PRESTIGIOUS NON-ACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES BASED ON YOUR
   PRESENT KNOWLEDGE AND LIFE EXPERIENCE.

     If you qualify, no required tests, classes, books or examinations.

     Bachelors', Masters', MBA's, Doctorate & Ph.D. degrees available in
                                 your field.

                           CONFIDENTIALITY ASSURED

               CALL NOW TO RECEIVE YOUR DIPLOMA WITHIN 2 WEEKS

   Every time I get one of these, I can see someone filling out a job
   application claiming a degree from some high-sounding, (non-accredited)
   university with a resume as phony as the diploma.  I think of what the
   Book of Proverbs says about this:  "Why does a fool offer the sage a
   fee, when he has no mind to learn?" (Prov. 17:16, Moffatt).

   Though it's probably out of print, a great little book on the Proverbs
   is, Proverbs:  An Introduction and Commentary.  It's by The Rev. Derek
   Kidner, M.A. published by Inter-Varsity Press.  It's part of Tyndale
   Old Testament Commentaries.  Kidner has some insightful things to say
   about this fool.

   He "laps up" what the sages have to say, and when he opens his mouth,
   he doesn't understand how foolish he sounds (15:2).  Even when he
   quotes a proverb, it sounds as limp as the legs on a lame man (26:7).
   When he makes a move that he thinks will sound intelligent, he really
   shows his stupidity (13:16).

   Kidner says, "The root of his trouble is spiritual, not mental.  He
   likes his folly, going back to it `like a dog that returns to his
   vomit.'"  He has no morality for truth, but will use deception like
   false degrees and resumes.  "The folly of fools is deception" (14:8).
   The root of their complete lack of morality is that "since they hated
   knowledge [they] did not choose to fear the Lord" (1:29).

   The fool is more than just a problem (14:7); he is a menace.  "Better
   to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly."  Keep your
   distance (17:12).

   Probably, saddest of all, is the fact that you can't disown him.  The
   fool brings sorrow to his parents (10:1; 17:21), bitterness (17:25) and
   calamity (19:13).  Kidner says, "It is the price of loving him; but it
   causes him no qualms--he despises them (15:20).

   I have a suggestion.  Instead of trying to pass off a phony diploma and
   resume, how about going back to school?

                                    # # #

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