Diligence

'Derived from diligo, to love, "diligence " reminds us that the secret of true in- dustry in onr work is love of that work ' (Trench, Study of Words, p. 314). But as diligence has gradually forgotten the rock whence it was hewn. It has also lost some of its proper meaning. It is a synonym now for ' industry ' ; but formerly it was also a syn. for 'carefulness,' since our love of a work may express itself as readily in care or caution as in perseverance. Hence Wyclifs tr.

of 1 Ti 3' ' If ony man kan not goueme his hous, how schal he haue diligence of the chirche of God ' ; and Coverdale's tr. of Pr 4^ ' Kepe thine hert with all diligence,' which is retained in AV and RV. Cf. Kncx, Historie, 15 : 'He declared what diligence the ancients took to trjy true miracles from false.' Diligent and diliqentli/ had the same range of meaning. Thus Job 42° Cov. ' I have geuen dili- gent eare unto the' (Gen.

, AV 'I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear,' RV ' I had heard,' etc. — thus reversing Coverdale's meaning) ; AV 1611 Title, 'with the former Translations dili- gently compared and revised ' ; Shaks. Tempest, Ul. L 42— 'The h&rmony of their tonnes bath into bondage Brought my too diligent ear.' J. Hastings.