As we write our goals and action steps for 2020, let’s remember to include surrounding ourselves with people who can help us grow.

I was researching Charles Jennens, the man who compiled the libretto for Handel’s Messiah, and I came across an article containing a quote from George Steevens who was not a fan of Jennens because Jennens had criticized some of Shakespeare’s work. Others have refuted Steevens’ perception of Jennens. 

The point of today’s blog is not whether the quote fairly applies to Jennens or not. The point is that the quote contains a valuable reminder for all of us. Ready?

The chief error of Mr. Jennens’s life consisted in his perpetual association with a set of men every way inferior to himself. By these means he lost all opportunities of improvement, but gained what he preferred to the highest gratifications of wisdom – flattery in excess. —George Steevens 

The warning is that if we associate only with a set of people inferior to ourselves, we lose all opportunities for improvement, and we trade gaining wisdom for gaining flattery. 

The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility. (Proverbs 15.31 – 33, NKJV)