"Cooking is no mean science, and it is one of the most essential in practical life. It is a science that all women should learn, and it should be taught in a way to benefit the poorer classes. To make food appetizing and at the same time simple and nourishing, requires skill; but it can be done. Cooks should know how to prepare simple food in a simple and healthful manner, and so that it will be found more palatable, as well as more wholesome, because of its simplicity. MH 302.4"
Both passages highlight the importance of women providing food for their households. EGW expands on the skill and knowledge required for healthful cooking, while Proverbs focuses on the diligence of the woman.
"It is a religious duty for those who cook to learn how to prepare healthful food in different ways, so that it may be eaten with enjoyment. Mothers should teach their children how to cook. What branch of the education of a young lady can be so important as this? The eating has to do with the life. Scanty, impoverished, ill-cooked food is constantly depraving the blood by weakening the blood-making organs. It is highly essential that the art of cookery be considered one of the most important branches of education. There are but few good cooks. Young ladies consider that it is stooping to a menial office to become a cook. This is not the case. They do not view the subject from a right standpoint. Knowledge of how to prepare food healthfully, especially bread, is no mean science. 1T 682.1"
Both passages emphasize the importance of women providing food for their households. Proverbs 31:15 highlights a woman's diligence in this area, while the EGW passage stresses the importance of learning and teaching healthful cooking skills. The connection is a valid thematic parallel.
"In ministry to the poor there is a wide field of service for women as well as for men. The efficient cook, the housekeeper, the seamstress, the nurse—the help of all is needed. Let the members of poor households be taught how to cook, how to make and mend their own clothing, how to nurse the sick, how to care properly for the home. Let boys and girls be thoroughly taught some useful trade or occupation. MH 194.2"
Both passages highlight the industriousness and domestic skills of women, particularly in providing for their households. Proverbs 31:15 describes a woman providing for her household, while the EGW passage encourages women to teach these skills to others.
"All should learn what to eat and how to cook it. Men, as well as women, need to understand the simple, healthful preparation of food. Their business often calls them where they cannot obtain wholesome food; then, if they have a knowledge of cookery, they can use it to good purpose. MH 323.1"
This verse highlights the importance of providing food for the household, which connects to the passage's emphasis on learning about food preparation.
"“A prudent wife is from the Lord.” “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.... She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her,” saying, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” He who gains such a wife “findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord.” Proverbs 19:14 ; 31:11, 12, 26-29 ; 18:22 . MH 359.4"
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 31:27.
"Children should have occupation for their time. Proper mental labor and physical outdoor exercise will not break the constitutions of your boys. Useful labor and an acquaintance with the mysteries of housework will be beneficial to your girls, and some outdoor employment is positively necessary to their constitution and health. Children should be taught to labor. Industry is the greatest blessing that men, women, and children can have. 4T 97.2 You have erred in the education of your children. You have been too indulgent. You have favored them and excused them from labor, until to some of them, it is positively distasteful. Inactivity, a lack of well-regulated employment, has injured them greatly. Temptations are on every side, ready to ruin the youth for this world and the next. The path of obedience is the only path of safety. 4T 97.3"
Both passages advocate for diligence and warn against idleness. Proverbs 31:27 praises a woman who 'looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness,' while EGW emphasizes the importance of labor for children and the negative consequences of inactivity.
But the daughters are not the ones to be blamed wholly in this matter. The mother is at fault. She has not patiently taught her daughters how to cook. She knows that they lack knowledge in the cooking department, and therefore feels no release from the labor. She must attend to everything that requires care, thought, and attention. Young ladies should be thoroughly instructed in cooking. Whatever be their circumstances in life, here is knowledge which may be put to a practical use. It is a branch of education which has the most direct influence upon human life, especially the lives of those held most dear. Many a wife and mother who has not had the right education and lacks skill in the cooking department is daily presenting her family with ill-prepared food which is steadily and surely destroying the digestive organs, making a poor quality of blood, and frequently bringing on acute attacks of inflammatory disease and causing premature death. Many have been brought to their death by ea…
Both passages highlight the importance of a woman's diligence and active role in managing her household. EGW's passage specifically focuses on the practical skills, like cooking, that contribute to this diligence.
"This spirit is like a contagious disease. God's people should choose the society for their children and teach them to avoid the company of these vain worldlings. Mothers should take their daughters with them into the kitchen and patiently educate them. Their constitution will be better for such labor, their muscles will gain tone and strength, and their meditations will be more healthy and elevated at the close of the day. They may be weary, but how sweet is rest after a proper amount of labor. Sleep, nature's sweet restorer, invigorates the weary body, and prepares it for the next day's duties. Do not intimate to your children that it is no matter whether they labor or not. Teach them that their help is needed, that their time is of value, and that you depend on their labor. 1T 395.1"
The EGW passage promotes diligence and avoiding idleness, particularly in the context of household duties, which aligns with the description of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:27.
"Do not neglect to teach your children how to prepare healthful food. In giving them these lessons in physiology and in good cooking, you are giving them the first steps in some of the most useful branches of education, and inculcating principles which are needful elements in a religious education. CE 174.1"
Both passages emphasize the importance of diligence and care within the household. Proverbs 31:27 speaks of a woman's attentiveness to her household's needs, while the EGW quote focuses on teaching children practical skills like cooking, which contributes to a healthy and well-managed home. The connection is thematic, focusing on the value of domestic responsibility.
"Young ladies frequently give themselves up to study, to the neglect of other branches of education even more essential for practical life than the study of books. And after having obtained their education, they are often invalids for life. They have neglected their health by remaining too much indoors, deprived of the pure air of heaven and of the God-given sunlight. These young women might have come from school in health had they combined with their studies household labor and exercise in the open air. CT 285.3"
The EGW passage discusses young women neglecting household labor and exercise in favor of studying, leading to health problems. This echoes the sentiment in Proverbs 31:27, which praises a woman who 'looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.' Both passages emphasize the importance of practical skills and avoiding idleness, particularly in the context of women's education and roles.
"physical as well as mental improvement. If girls were taught how to cook, especially how to make good bread, their education would be of far greater value. A knowledge of useful labor would prevent, to a great extent, that sickly sentimentalism which has been and is still ruining thousands. The exercise of the muscles as well as the brain will encourage taste for the homely duties of practical life.— “Testimony,” No. 31. CE 244.2"
The EGW passage advocates for teaching girls practical skills like cooking, echoing the description of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:27 who diligently manages her household. Both emphasize the value of domestic skills and avoiding idleness.
"Notwithstanding all that has been said and written concerning the dignity of labor, the feeling prevails that it is degrading. Young men are anxious to become teachers, clerks, merchants, physicians, lawyers, or to occupy some other position that does not require physical toil. Young women shun housework and seek an education in other lines. These need to learn that no man or woman is degraded by honest toil. That which degrades is idleness and selfish dependence. Idleness fosters self-indulgence, and the result is a life empty and barren—a field inviting the growth of every evil. “The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:7, 8 . Ed 215.3"
Both passages contrast the value of diligent work with the dangers of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 specifically praises a woman who avoids idleness, while the EGW passage expands on the negative consequences of idleness for both men and women, and even quotes Hebrews 6:7,8.
“Children should be taught very young to be useful, to help themselves, and to help others. Many daughters of this age can, without remorse of conscience, see their mothers toiling, cooking, washing, or ironing, while they sit in the parlor and read stories, knit edging, crochet, or embroider. Their hearts are as unfeeling as a stone. But where does this wrong originate? Who are the ones usually most to blame in this matter? The poor, deceived parents. They overlook the future good of their children, and in their mistaken fondness, let them sit in idleness, or do that which is of but little account, which requires no exercise of the mind or muscles, and then excuse their indolent daughters because they are weakly. What has made them weakly? In many cases it has been the wrong course of the parents. A proper amount of exercise about the house would improve both mind and body. But children are deprived of this through false ideas, until they are averse to work. It is disagreeable and doe…
Both passages address the issue of idleness, particularly in the context of household duties. Proverbs 31:27 praises a woman who avoids idleness, while the EGW passage criticizes parents who allow their daughters to be idle and avoid work. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"Women especially should learn how to cook. What part of the education of a girl is so important as this? Whatever may be her circumstances in life, here is knowledge that she may put to practical use. It is a branch of education which has a most direct influence upon health and happiness. There is practical religion in a loaf of good bread. CT 313.2"
Both passages highlight the importance of women's domestic skills and their impact on the household. The EGW quote emphasizes the importance of cooking for women and its influence on health and happiness, while the Proverbs verse praises a woman who diligently manages her household and avoids idleness. The connection is thematic, focusing on the value of women's practical skills and their role in maintaining a healthy and well-managed home.
"Every woman who is at the head of a family and yet does not understand the art of healthful cookery should determine to learn that which is so essential to the well-being of her household. In many places hygienic cooking schools afford opportunity for instruction in this line. She who has not the help of such facilities should put herself under the instruction of some good cook and persevere in her efforts for improvement until she is mistress of the culinary art. MH 303.1"
Both passages emphasize the importance of a woman's role in managing her household, particularly concerning food preparation and care. EGW focuses on learning healthful cookery, while Proverbs highlights diligence and avoiding idleness.
"Why will mothers be so blind and negligent in the education of their daughters? I have been distressed, as I have visited different families, to see the mother bearing the heavy burden, while the daughter, who manifested buoyancy of spirit and had a good degree of health and vigor, felt no care, no burden. When there are large gatherings, and families are burdened with company, I have seen the mother bearing the burden, with the care of everything upon her, while the daughters are sitting down chatting with young friends, having a social visit. These things seem so wrong to me that I can hardly forbear speaking to the thoughtless youth and telling them to go to work. Release your tired mother. Lead her to a seat in the parlor and urge her to rest and enjoy the society of her friends. 1T 683.1"
Both passages emphasize the importance of a woman's role in managing the household and avoiding idleness. EGW's passage expands on the practical aspects of this, particularly in relation to cooking and its impact on family health.
"your family. What a terrible influence has your daughter had! The mother, not receiving love and sympathy from you, has centered her affections upon the daughter and has idolized her. She has been a petted, indulged, and nearly spoiled child through the exercise of injudicious affection. Her education has been sadly neglected. Had she been instructed in household duties, taught to bear her share of the family burdens, she would now be more healthy and happy. It is the duty of every mother to teach her children to act their part in life, to share her burdens, and not be useless machines. 1T 699.2"
Both passages highlight the importance of diligence and avoiding idleness within the household. Proverbs 31:27 praises a woman who actively manages her household, while EGW criticizes the neglect of household duties and the creation of a 'useless machine.'
It is a religious duty for every Christian girl and woman to learn at once to make good, sweet, light bread from unbolted wheat flour. Mothers should take their daughters into the kitchen with them when very young and teach them the art of cooking. The mother cannot expect her daughters to understand the mysteries of housekeeping without education. She should instruct them patiently, lovingly, and make the work as agreeable as she can by her cheerful countenance and encouraging words of approval. If they fail once, twice, or thrice, censure not. Already discouragement is doing its work and tempting them to say: “It is of no use; I can't do it.” This is not the time for censure. The will is becoming weakened. It needs the spur of encouraging, cheerful, hopeful words, as: “Never mind the mistakes you have made. You are but a learner and must expect to make blunders. Try again. Put your mind on what you are doing. Be very careful, and you will certainly succeed.” 1T 684.1 Many mothers do …
Both passages emphasize the importance of women being skilled in household tasks, particularly related to food preparation. Proverbs 31:27 speaks of a woman who 'looketh well to the ways of her household,' while EGW specifically addresses the skill of bread-making. The connection is thematic, focusing on diligence and skill in domestic duties.
"Thus the first efforts of the learners are repulsed, and the first failure so cools their interest and ardor to learn that they dread another trial, and will propose to sew, knit, clean house—anything but cook. Here the mother was greatly at fault. She should have patiently instructed them that they might by practice obtain an experience which would remove the awkwardness and remedy the unskillful movements of the inexperienced worker. Here I will add extracts from Testimony , No. 10, page 392 , published in 1864: 1T 685.2"
Both passages highlight the importance of women being skilled and diligent in household tasks. Proverbs 31:27 speaks of a woman who 'looketh well to the ways of her household,' while EGW specifically addresses the skill of cooking and avoiding idleness. The connection is thematic, focusing on diligence and skill in domestic duties.
"In the preparation of the baby's wardrobe, convenience, comfort, and health should be sought before fashion or a desire to excite admiration. The mother should not spend time in embroidery and fancywork to make the little garments beautiful, thus taxing herself with unnecessary labor at the expense of her own health and the health of her child. She should not bend over sewing that severely taxes eyes and nerves, at a time when she needs much rest and pleasant exercise. She should realize her obligation to cherish her strength, that she may be able to meet the demands that will be made upon her. MH 381.4"
Both passages touch on the responsible management of household duties and avoiding idleness or excessive focus on superficial things. Proverbs 31:27 describes a diligent woman, while the EGW passage advises mothers to prioritize health and well-being over elaborate clothing for their babies.
"A large class of women are content to hover over the stove, breathing impure air for one half or three fourths of the time, until the brain is heated and half benumbed. They should go out and exercise every day, even though some things indoors have to be neglected. They need the cool air to quiet their distracted brains. They need not go to their neighbors to gossip, but should make it their object to do some good, working to the end of benefiting others. Then they will be an example to others and receive real benefit themselves. 2T 531.1"
Both passages address the role and responsibilities of women, with Proverbs 31:27 highlighting diligence in household management and EGW advocating for women to balance their duties with outdoor activity and service to others. There's a thematic overlap in the discussion of women's roles and responsibilities.
"muscles. The satisfaction children will have in being useful, in denying themselves to help others, will be the most healthful pleasure they ever enjoyed. Why should the wealthy rob themselves and their dear children of this great blessing? CE 16.3"
Both passages emphasize the value of diligence and avoiding idleness, particularly in a domestic context. EGW applies it to children, while Proverbs speaks of a capable woman.
"“A prudent wife is from the Lord.” “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.... She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her,” saying, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” He who gains such a wife “findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord.” Proverbs 19:14 ; 31:11, 12, 26-29 ; 18:22 . MH 359.4"
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 31:28.
What a reward was Hannah's! and what an encouragement to faithfulness is her example! There are opportunities of inestimable worth, interests infinitely precious, committed to every mother. The humble round of duties which women have come to regard as a wearisome task should be looked upon as a grand and noble work. It is the mother's privilege to bless the world by her influence, and in doing this she will bring joy to her own heart. She may make straight paths for the feet of her children, through sunshine and shadow, to the glorious heights above. But it is only when she seeks, in her own life, to follow the teachings of Christ that the mother can hope to form the character of her children after the divine pattern. The world teems with corrupting influences. Fashion and custom exert a strong power over the young. If the mother fails in her duty to instruct, guide, and restrain, her children will naturally accept the evil, and turn from the good. Let every mother go often to her Savi…
Both passages discuss the blessedness and influence of mothers. Proverbs 31:28 speaks of the honor a virtuous woman receives from her children, while the EGW passage elaborates on the mother's role in guiding her children and the joy she receives from it. The connection is thematic and supportive.
"The influence of the mother who has a close connection with Christ is of infinite worth. Her ministry of love makes the home a Bethel. Christ works with her, turning the common water of life into the wine of heaven. Her children will grow up to be a blessing and an honor to her in this life and in the life to come. GW 206.3"
The EGW passage describes the positive influence of a mother connected to Christ, leading to her children's blessing and honor, which parallels the sentiment in Proverbs 31:28 where children bless and praise their mother.
"The mother's work often seems to her an unimportant service. It is a work that is rarely appreciated. Others know little of her many cares and burdens. Her days are occupied with a round of little duties, all calling for patient effort, for self-control, for tact, wisdom, and self-sacrificing love; yet she cannot boast of what she has done as any great achievement. She has only kept things in the home running smoothly; often weary and perplexed, she has tried to speak kindly to the children, to keep them busy and happy, and to guide the little feet in the right path. She feels that she has accomplished nothing. But it is not so. Heavenly angels watch the care- worn mother, noting the burdens she carries day by day. Her name may not have been heard in the world, but it is written in the Lamb's book of life. MH 376.2"
Both passages highlight the value and eventual recognition of a mother's work. Proverbs 31:28 describes the praise a virtuous woman receives, while the EGW passage assures mothers that their efforts are noted by God, even if unappreciated by others.