poynt wherin a man passeth the fiersenesse of all wylde beastes is battell a thyng more agreyng to beastes vnreasonable than to manne whiche is well declared by the name that the latinâ—s haue geuen it Howe muche dooeth nature hir selfe abhorre from warre which brought forthe man into this worlde naked without armure shapyng hym to mekenes and louely societee of lyfe God also abhorreth the same which wol and coÌ„maÌ„deth mutuall loue betwene man man One of vs maye not warre with an other ne hurte one the other without greuous offence If thou suspecte any man to beare grudge or displeasure in his mind towardes the labour with hand and fote reconcile and pacify him spare thou not in this behalf to pray to flatter and to bestowe thy goodes so that thou mayst therby obteynâ— the fauour of all men For this is the moste readye and compendious waie to come to goddis fauour Thou shalte scorne no man remembryng that what so euâ—r chanceth to one maie happe to an other No rather giue thankes to god that he hath kepte the from suche daunger and praie partly that no lyke thing may fortune to the partely for remedy vnto hym that is thus afflicted or at the lest that god wyll geue hym grace to take it thankefully and helpe hym yf thy power wyl extend therto It is a token of a dogged herâ— to reioyce in an other mannes misfortune and not to pitie the common course of nature Bee mercyfull to man and God wol haue mercy vpoÌ„ the. The fortune and chance that foloweth mankind is common to euery man thretnyng dayly all men and hanging ouer euery mans head Thynke it not possible that thou canst doo any thing more agreyng to this loue dewe vnto manne than if thou brynge theim to the greattest good of this worlde Uertue Agayn thoâ— canst dooe nothyng more repugnant to loue than to bryng any man by euill counsaile exaumple or otherwise vnto synne The chiefest and happiest of all other thynges is for a man to loue yea although he be not loued ageine yet that not withstanding to be loued is the swetest and the surest thyng No treasure is of so great certaintee as perfecte loue and amitee no garde so stronge as faithfull frendes He taketh the son out of the world that taketh loue froÌ„ lyfe Trewe loue sure and stable frendshyp resteth in theym only that bee good and vertuous amonge whom loue lyghtly increaseth Euyll men are so farre from louyng the good that they can not one loue an other The rediest waie to be loued is first to loue For loue is allured by nothynge so muche as by loue Loue is gotten also by Uertue whiche of hir selfe is so amyable that ofte tymes she inuiteth and in maner constrayneth men to loue hir which neuer knew hir Loue is also allured by tokens of vertue as by demure softnesse by comely shamefastnesse by humanitee by gentill and faire speeche specially yf thou neyther saye ne dooe any thynge that sauoreth of arrogaÌ„cy insolency or malapert vnciennesse Let all thy actes be swete softe gentill and pure The venome of loue and amitee is to loue thy friende so that thou yeldest vppon occasion to hate hym or so to take hym thy frende that thou thynkest he maie be thyne enemy This saiyng is godly I hate as one redy to loue Let no remembraunce of displeasure be where loue is nother thynk that he whom thou takest for thy frende can be thy ennemie for els shall thy loue be veray weake and brickle In frendshyp muste be suche faith constancy and simplicite that in no wyse thou haue any suspicion in thy frende or geue â—are vnto theym that suspecte hym or shall euill reporte hym Lyfe is no lyfe to suche as lyue in suspicion or feare but rather such lyfe is a continuall death Be not inquisitiue howe other men liue for thei that passe to much of other mennes affayres ofte tymes loke vpon theyr owne businesse but sklenderly It is a point of great foly well to knowe other men and not to know thy â—elfe Of this thyng rise many priuy grudges and suche as vse these thynges be most coÌ„monly they whiche can spie a smalle mote in an other mans eye and not see a greatte beame in their owne It is great foolishnesse to know other men so well and to know them selfe neuer a dele Thou mayst not alonely loue men but also reuerence suche as becommeth the honestly behauyng thy selfe amonge them wherin consisteth the office and duetie of our hole lyfe To the better accomplishment wherof thy part is diligently to marke where whan and with whom thou doest or spekest any thyng Whan thou arte in presence of men so order all the partes of thy body in speciall thy eies and countenance that ther may be no token of disdeine or contempt perceiued Use no wanton gesture but let quietnesse and pleasant serenitee tokens of a quiete and clere minde alwaies temper thy countenaunce The fayre and most fauourable couerture of mans face is modesty and shamefastnes whiche so sette forth mans countenaunce that without the same it seemeth a thyng veraie deformed and detestable All hope of recouery to pasâ—e in hym whiche now is no more ashamed of euill doyng Shewe not to muche seueritee or gâ—â—â—mnesse in thy countenaunce For therby men coniecture the mynd to be cruell and vnruly Laugh not to ofte nor out of mesure laugh not to loude nor that thy body shake withall lest thou be mockâ— laught to scorn for suche thy foolishe laughter Ther mai be a cause of laughter but there can be no cause of scornfull laughter To scorne good thynges is wickednesse to mocke euyl crueltee and to iest at other meane thinges great folyshnesse to scorne good men wickednesse leude men cruelnesse familiarly acquainted immanitee vnknowen men madnesse to be short a man to scorne a man inhumanitee Let thy eies bee quiet and stedy plaie not with thy â—yngers as iuglers vse to doe Accustom not thy selfe to strikeâ— for oft times after a fillyp foloweth a blow and from blowes men com to clubbes swordes Giue only good men true and right honour whiche commeth from the reuerence of the mind Honour suche as bee in office and auctoritee and bee obedient vnto theym although they commaund greuous and peynfull thynges for god willeth it so to be for a publike quietnes Geue place vnto riche men leste they stered to anger hurte bothe the other good men to Arise vnto age and reuerence it as in whome consisteth ofte tymes great experience knowlage of godly lyuyng and worldely polycie Be not onely euen with theim that honour the but accordyng to the apostles precepte preuent theym whan thou mayst It is an argument of greatte rudenesse not to salute hym that saluteth the a great poynt of barbarousnesse not to wishe wel ageine to him that wisheth well to the. Howe small thynges and of how light cost are salutacion fayre speeche
INTRODVCtion to wisedome Banket of sapience Preceptes of Agapetus TO THE RYGHT worshipfull maister Gregory Crâ—mwell sonne to he ryght honourable lorde Crumwell lorde priuie seale Richarde Morisine wisheth muche wealthe with continuall encreace of vertue VUho sowel feleth the duties that belong to an honest hert is any thynge aqueinted with those three ladies which wonderfully maintein the ioyful societie of mans lyfe called amonges the Grecians Charites among the latines Gratie he can not moste gentill maister Crumwell but se infinite causes why I ought with all force of bodie all strength of mynde all alacritee and cheerefull promptnesse of courage studie to gratifie you studie to make you beare with one that fayne woulde and neuer can bee able to come out of debte The firste of these three dames is Bountifull beneficence a ladie of louely countenance and noble stomake one that alwaies longeth still hauynge that she longeth for alwaies with childe and still deliuered alwaie profityng and still lustyng to profite alwaie helpyng some and still desirefull to helpe mo The Grekes name hir sometyme Euridomene whiche signifieth a large and a plentifull giuer somtime Aglaia which soundeth amonges vs gladnes teachynge men euen by hir name that of dutie benefittes oughte to bee geuen cherefullie The second ladie is Thankefulnesse of minde neuer forgettyng benefittes receiued hir name is Thalia whiche signifieth fresshenesse or grenenesse because duetie and honestie woll all pleasures all benefites stil to be freshe in memorie still to bee greene neuer to wyther neuer to fade all tyme to florishe The thirde ladie is Euprosine muche lyke hyr syâ—â—er Aglaia a damoysell full of solace full of delectacion continually deuysyng by what meanes she may do pleasure for pleasure recompence kyndnesse with kyndnesse Authors of great name and much wisedome make these three to go all hande in hande the first lokyng still forward not once castyng hir eie backe neuer imbraydyng benefites geuen and past The second and the third euermore beholdyng the firste with amiable countenaÌ„ce with faithfull eie of remembraunce and full intente of recompence as farre as power furthered with moste desire maie or can Under suche cloudes sage and graue writers ar wont darkely to insinuate thynges of great weight thinges verie necessary for the quiete and honeste leadyng of mans life things worthy to be of all men imbracedâ— worthy to be set fixed and engrafted in all mennes hertes They perceyued that morall preceptes pleasantlie set out in feat colours of wittie phantasies both crepe faster into our bosomes and also tary there with muche more delectacion and profite than they would beyng playnly spoken Wherfore as you nowe se what they mente by those thre ladyes so you muste also nedes see howe I am bounde to owe you my herte my seruice with all that they both maie dooe for you For howe can I my lord your father beyng so far in amours with that louely ladie Euridomene leaue mine attendaunce vpon thother two damoisels before life leaue me How can I beeyng enuyronned with so manie and ample his benefites not desire Thalia and Euphrosine that thei both report me to lacke power but no good wil I truste they bothe shall haue good cause so to do Certes if I had sene where either my littel witte or poore herte mighte better haue serued his lordship than in openyng vnto you his dere and entierly beloued soÌ„ne suche preceptes of vertue as maie make you moste like your noble father there are no peiâ—eâ— that coulde haue kepte me from doyng of it Assure your selfe maister Crumwell if laboure and herte maie paie the tribute that loue oweth you shall neuer nede to arrest me This boke was gathered by Ludouicus Uines a man great lie conuersaunt in all good authors and excellentlie wel sene in all kindes of learnyng The boke hath vndoubtedly muche more liyng in his bosome than the title promiseth in the forehed It is not onely an Introduction to wisedome but if ye goe as it leadeth you it introduceth wisedom into you rootyng the loue and desire of vertue in your hert extirpyng froÌ„ it all maner of vice and all vnclennesse furnishyng you with generall preceptes for all kyndes of life for all ages for all degrees and condicions whiche preceptes if you harbouâ— in your breaste must nedes be a great slaie helpe and comfort vnto your tender age They shal bryng to passe many thynges in your life time with gret pleasure and no peyne at all which otherwise experience oft tymes poudred with bitter repentance shuld scace at length teache you It is as wise Socrates saieth Preceptes of lerning were inuented at the first as a nedefull staie and succour vnto mans mynde wantynge knowlage experience euen as a staffe is geuen of necessitie to staie vp a feeble body assuredly I knowe no one booke vntranslated that hath halfe so many holsome documentes as this hath none that mai so wel leade you the right way to true honour none where ye maie either with more delite or more hope of your game trace true nobilitie Folowe your leader goe on with your guide you shall finde all the steppes and grices whereby not onely my Lord your father honourablie hath climed to nobilitie but all other that in dede are or were at any time nobleâ— you shal find manie thynges here that maie bee to men in wealth and worship an ornamente many that ar to meÌ„ assauted with the surâ—â—s of sower fortune sure couÌ„sailours bringyng with theim besides righte and honeste consolacion muche delectable doctrineâ— finally manie that are a souereigne medicine almoste for all diseases The booke is nowe yours I truste as the iewelles whiche it offereth vnto you bee great rare and preciouse that so ye wyll see theim laied vp in place mete for suche richesse Locke theim fast in the cheste of your herte geue the keie to remembraunce that she maie lette theim out and carie them home againe at suche times as ye shall thinke conuenient If ye make these preceptes yours by vse of them speakyng as they teache you workynge as they aduise you who shall haue more cause to reioice of it thaÌ„ you your self Wherin can you more please my lorde your fathers minde What thynge can more satisfie his desire What greatter comforte can come to his Lordship than to see you most like him in condicions What greatter worship to you than to treade in his steppes What higher plesure to al them that loue both your countrey knoweth what noble feates my lorde your father hath wrought by wisdom ladie gouernour of all vertuesâ— who knoweth not howe honestie maie reioice howe trueth and religioÌ„ may holde vp their handes to heuen that god hath sent to so gracious so prudent and wise a prince so good so wise and so faithefull a counsailour to so noble a maister so diligente a mynister to so high couragious and vertuous a kyng a subiecte of so noble an herte and stomacke I must leaue of I am
maner of speche whiche is accordyng to learnyng wherewith he maie exhorte by holsome doctrine reproue theim whiche wylle speake to the contrary Bostyng BE thou praised of an nothers mouthe and not of thyne owne Let a straunger commend the anâ— not thyne owne lippes ¶ Nothyng doth more minishe a mans commendacion than much auauntyng the successe of his actes ¶ It is a foule thyng a man to tell muche of him selfe specially that whiche is false and with mockes of theim whiche dooe here him to seeme to resemble the bostyng souldiour Chastitee IF thyne eie be simple or cleane all thy body shall be bright ¶ Chastitee is the beautee of the soule or of the kingis doughter whiche is from within ¶ Where necessitee is laid vnto chastitee authoritee is geuen to lecherye for neyther she is chaste whiche by feare is compelled nor she is honest whiche with mede is obteyned ¶ Chastitee without charite is as a lamp without oyle take the oyle awaye the lampe geueth no nyght take awaie charitee than pleseth not chastitee ¶ There bee sixe thynges that do preserue chastitee sobrenesse in diete occupacion sharpenes of the inner apparayle refraynynge of the sences that is to saie the fiue wittes Also selde communicacion and that with honesty and eschuyng oportunitee of the persone the place and the tyme. Charitee IF I had the spirit of prophecy knew all misteries and all manerr of cuÌ„â—yng Also if I had all faith in so much as I could translate and cary away mountaines yet were I nothynge if I lacked charitee Moreouer if I dyd distribute all my goodes in fedyng poore peple although I gaue my body to be burned hauyng no charitee it nothiÌ„g auaileth me Charitee is pacient geÌ„til Charitee hath enuy at no man it doth no thyng amisse it is not puffed vp with pride it is not ambicious she seketh not hir profite she is not moued she thynketh none yll she reioyseth in no mischief she ioyeth with truthe all thyng she suffereth all thyng she beleueth all thynge she hopeth all thyng she beareth Charitee neuer faileth Constance AS well to muche reioysyng in prosperitee as to muche sorowe in aduersitee betokeneth lyghtnesse ¶ What so euer is doone by necessitee is shortly dissolued that whiche is willyngly receiued of long time abydeth ¶ He that is constaunt feeieth no trouble and is without heuynesse ¶ Nothyng so well becometh a man as in euery enterprise and takyng of counsaile to be sure and constant ¶ What is so great foly or so vnworthy a wyse mannes constance and grauitee as is false opinion or boldly to defende that whiche he doth not vnderstande well and sufficiently Carnall appetite CArnal appetite is alwai a hungred and of that whiche is passed a man is not satisfied ¶ It agreeth not with reason that he whom feare can not vanquishe to be subdued with couetise or he whiche can bee ouercome with no peine to be vanquisshed with carnall affection ¶ Carnall appetite more often leaueth behynd hir cause of repentance than of remeÌ„brance ¶ Carnall appetite ennemie to reason letteth all counsaile and dusketh the eyen of the mynde nor with vertue wyll haue any medlyng Consideracion HE that intendeth to dooe any thyng leat hym consyder not only how conuenient is the thyng that ought to be doen but also what power he hath to bryng it to passe ¶ If we will consider what excellencie and preeminence is in the nature of man wee shall well vnderstande howe horrible a thynge it is to flowe in excesse and to be wanton and delicate how â—ayre and honeste it is to lyue warely continently sadly and sobrely ¶ He whome fortune neuer deceiueth doth not without cause remembre the vncertaintee of sundry adâ—entures ¶ If thou consider wel thyngs that bee passed thou shalte the better geue counsaill in thynges that may happen ¶ Remembrance of actes passed sheweth to vs wherin wee offende and conferryng it with thynges that be present we are taughte howe to refourme it Confession COnfessioÌ„ is the remedi of soules the coÌ„founder of vices the restorcr of vertues the vanquysher of dyuels what wyll you more It stoppeth helles mouth and setteth wyde opeÌ„ the gates of paradise ¶ The vengeance of god ceasseth where mannes confession timely preuenteth ¶ Confession is the lyfe of a synner the glorie of good men to offeÌ„dours necessary and yet vnto iust meÌ„ not inconuenient ConteÌ„pt of worldy thinges THe worlde is a sea and euery mannes couetous desyre is nought els but a tempest Dost thou loue god than walkest thou on the sea and the feare of the worlde is vnder thy feete louest thou the worlde and he will fwalowe the for he can tolle his louers vnto hym but he can not beare theym Therfore whan thy herte flittereth in couetous appetite call to thyne ayde Christes diuinitee that thou mayste vanquyshe thyne inordinate foly ¶ The pleasure of this worlde is vanitee whiche with muche expectacion is looked for and whan it is come no man can holde it ¶ Bost not of tomorow thou wottest not what the daie wyll bryng whan it cometh ¶ Set littell by rychesse and thou shalte bee ryche set littell by renoume and thou shalte be famous Care not for afflictiones and thou shalte ouercome theim passe littell on reste and quietnesse and thou shalte obteine theym ¶ In thynges perteinynge to man nothyng is so diligentely don but that as wel by the puissaunce of man it may bee vndoen for the workes of men mortall also be mortall ¶ Nothyng is so happy that it is without feare Where ther is suspicion the lyfe is vnpleasaunt ¶ He that is dedicate to the hasardes of fortune he prepareth for hym selfe muche mattire to trouble whiche wyll not shortly be slacked ¶ There is one way to go surely that is to set littell by thynges worldely and a manne to hold hym contented onely with honestee Custome IN thynges wherof holy scripture hath determined no certaintie the vse of goddes people and statutes of fathers are to bee holden for lawes and likewyse as transgressors of goddes lawes are to be punisshed so contemnours of ecclesiasticall customes ought to be chastised ¶ The wounde often renued is harde to be healed ¶ Custome teacheth that to bee littell which semeth to be great ¶ Educacion and discipline formeth good maners and men sauoreth alway of that thynge which in youth thei haue lerned ¶ In truthe whiche appeereth openly custom must geue place to veritee Correction HE that byndeth a frantike man and waketh hym that hath the letargie or slepyng liknesse displeaseth both loueth both and healeth bothe both whyles thei be sicke dooe disdayne hym and whan they be hole yet both doe thanke hym ¶ Correcte not a scorner leste that he hate the
correcte a wyse man and he wyll thanke the. ¶ In correction wrathe is specially to bee prohibited for he that wyll punisshe whan he is angry he shall neuer kepe well the meane which is betwene to muche and to littell ¶ A gentil horse is ruled with the glymse of a rodde A dulle royle wyll vneth styre with the thruste of a spurre ¶ It is better to bee of a wyse man corrected than to be with the flattery of fooles deceiued ¶ The eare whiche wyll heare his owne lyfe rebuked shall dwell in the middell of theym that be wyse men Be of thyne owne lyuynge a sharpe correctour and of other mens a gentill reformer and let men here the commaunde small thynges and easie and thai thou thy selfe doest great thinges and peinfull ¶ Correcte thy frende secretly and praise thy frende openly ¶ It is the parte of a wyse maÌ„ to roote vp â—ices and not the offenders ¶ A good capitayne ordereth his men better by kepyng theym from yll donynge than by sorâ— chastisyng Counsayle and counsaylours THey that doo all thinges with counsayle are gouerned by wisedome ¶ Cal not them to thy counsel which lacke discrecion for they can loue nothing but that whiche contenteth theyr appetite ¶ To euery man disclose not thy mynde leste some do dissemble and after reproche the. ¶ Sonne do al things by couÌ„sell and whan thou hast done thou shalt not repente the. ¶ Obserue well the lawe and folowe good counsell and thy soule shall haue lyfe and thou shalte walke trewly and thy foote shall not trippe ¶ Beleue not euery spirite but proue well the spirites if they be good ¶ Armure abrode is of littell effecte but yf there be counsell at home ¶ Gouernors of the weale publyke ought to be lyke to the lawes the whiche not for displeasure but onely for equitee doe punishe offenders ¶ That publyk weal is in better state and in a maner more sure where the prince is not good thaÌ„ where the kynges couÌ„sailours companions be yll ¶ All violente attemtates beyng sette forthe without counsaile at the beginnyng are puissaunte but in continuance they ar insufficient ¶ Who will iudge hym to bee necessary in an other mannes cause which to hym selfe appereth vnprofitable ¶ There been two thynges to counsayle most contrary Haste and Displeasure ¶ After hasty counsaile nexte foloweth repentance ¶ Ill counsaile is worst to the gyuer ¶ Power without counsayle oftentymes breaketh his necke with his owne bourdeyn Communicacion VUhan thou arte amonge fooles kepe thy wordes in store ¶ Amonge wise men be redy to commune ¶ In the presence of great men presume not to speake where as be thyne elders talke not to muche ¶ Honor and praise bee in the woordes of a wyse man The tunge of a foole is his propre subuercion ¶ Dispute not with a persone disdainfull leaste he syttynge styll doo lye in awaite for thy wordes ¶ It is a thynge foule and rebukefull in a sadde matter to brynge in wordes wanton or mete for a banket Crueltee LOke what measure you geue vnto other lyke measure shal be mete vnto you ¶ They which delite in the fall of good men shall bee taken in a trappe and shal be consumed with sorow er euer they die ¶ Iugement without any mercy shall bee gyuen to hym that wyll not be mercifull ¶ The best example whervnto a prince shoulde conforme hym is to be suche one to his subiectes as he wold that god shulde be to hym selfe ¶ It is euen as yll at home as abrode to be muche feared as ylle to be dradde of thy slaues and drudges as of thy chyefe seruauntes no man lacketh power to dooe harme Adde also thervnto that he that is drad of necessitie feareth Neuer man mought be terrible and also in suretie Curiositee SEke not for that whiche is out of thy reach Serche not those thyngs that excedeth thy puissaunce but thynke on that which god hath commanded the and in his sundry workes be not to curious Compassion THey that truste muche to their frendes knowe not howe shortely teares bee dried vp Deathe HE muste lyue yll that lacketh knowlage howe to dye well ¶ They whiche prepare theym to battayle before that battaile approcheth they beyng alwaye redy do easyly susteyne toe first bruÌ„t which is most troublous so death or fortune alwaies loked for is and semeth more easy and with lesse peyne suffred ¶ One daie demeth another but the laste geueth iudgemente of all that is passed Delicate lyuyng AS it is impossible that fyre shuld inflame within water so it is impossible that contricion of herte shoulde be great in thinges that be delicate for they be mere repugnaunt the one to the other the contricion beyng mother of wepyng delicatenes of laughyng she straineth and wringeth the hert this louseth it and setteth it at libertee Deceite MEn can better suffer to be denied than to be deceyned ¶ Where wronge is coÌ„mitted by two maner of waies eyther by force or by fraude fraude belongeth to a foxe force to a lyon both the one and the other is to the nature of man wonderfull contrary ¶ We oughte to beware more of the enuy of our frendes thaÌ„ of the assaultes of our enemies for these be apparant vnto vs the other is couered and the crafte to annoy whiche is not looked for is euer moste daungerouse ¶ A false witnesse shall not bee without punishement ne a forget of lyes shall escape from correction Detraction NEther detractors nor yet extorcioners shal possesse the kyngdom of heauen ¶ Neuer detracte or backbyte any man nor bee seene to gette prayse by rebukynge of other but learne more to adorne thyne owne lyfe than to defame others remembrynge the scripture whiche saith Loue not to pull awaie a mans praise least thou be pluckt vp by the rootes ¶ To sclander or to here sclanderers I can not tell of theym two which is most damnable ¶ We oughte to suppose that detractyng or yll reportyng one of an other for a priuate aduaÌ„tage is more againste nature than to suffre any discommoditee be it exterior or bodily Drunkennesse A Drunken worke manne shall neuer be riche and he that setteth noughte by a littell shall by a littell and a littell come vnto nothyng ¶ Howe sufficiente vnto a lerned man is a smal quantitee of wyne for therwith whan thou slepest thou shalt not bee troubled nor feele any peyne ¶ Euerlastyng peyne shall bee vnto you that do rise earely in the morning to drynke excessiuely and to quafte vntyll nyght that ye maie bee with wyne excessiuely chauffed ¶ Lechery wyne and sacietee consumeth all wisedome ¶ The drunken man confoundeth nature loseth bothe grace and honour and rnneth headling into
is pride and to muche statelines like great corporate bodies be throweÌ„ down sodeinly ¶ Honours substanciall and perfect and also fauour of theÌ„ whiche haue a good turne in remembrance and be in rendryng thankes veray diligent shoulde not be refused Hypocrisie TAke hede of false prophetes that come to you in the garmentes of sheepe but within they bee rauernouse wulues by the fruites of theym shall ye perceiue theym ¶ He that desireth to seeme that he is not he is an hypocrite he faineth to be good yet dothe he not practise it for in the praise of men he estemeth his profite ¶ Dyssembled equitee is not proprely equitee but double iniquitee for it is bothe iniquitee and dissimulacion ¶ Hypocrites arâ— vile in apparel and praude in their corage and whyle they seeme to despise all thynges in this worlde they seke by meanes to atteyn to all thynges that be of the worlde ¶ The nyghest way to renome is to be suche one in dede as euery man woulde he reputed ¶ He that faineth hym selfe to bee a freende and is not is worse than he that is a forgeâ— of money ¶ Openly to hate or to loue more belongeth to a gentil courage than to hyde in his couÌ„tenance what his herte thynketh Humblenesse EUery man that exalteth hym selfe shall be brought lowe and he that huÌ„bleth him selfe shal be aduanced ¶ All men delite to be high the griece is humilitee why settest thou thy fote so farre from the thou wylt fall and not clymbe begyn at the grice and thou art forth with at the toppe ¶ He that doeth gather other vertues without humiltee dâ—eth as he that beareth fine pouder into a boystuous wynde ¶ That man is happy whiche the higher that fortune aduanceth his substance so muche the lower he auayleth his courage Ill men THre kindes of people my soule hath hated I poore man proude an old man lackyng wit a great man a lier ¶ There is no hope of remedy where that whiche sometyme were vyces bee tourned to maners ¶ That whiche the yll manne moste dredeth shall come vnto hym that whiche he desireth shall bâ—g yuen vnto good men ¶ The yll manne shall vanishe awaye lyke a storme the good man shall stande faste lyke an euerlastyng foundacion ¶ The warke of an yll manne is euer vnstable he that so weth good warkes hathe a sure aduauntage ¶ Dooe thou none euill and none shall come to the Leaue euyll companie and euyll wyll forsake the. ¶ If a Morian maie thaunge his skinne or a libard hir spottes ye may also do good whan ye are brought vp in ill ¶ To hym that doeth ill there is no greatter penaunce than that he displeaseth all men and contenteth not him selfe Iustice. NO man maie be iust that feareth either deth peine exyle or pouertee or that preferreth their contraries before verie equitee ¶ The foundacion of perpetuall preyse end renowme is iustice without the whiche no thyng is commendable ¶ Kynge Agesilaus beynge demaunded whiche was the better â—ither Iustice or Fortitude He aunswered If al men were iuste we neded no fortitude ¶ The glory of a good man is to doe iustice ¶ Iustice exalteth the people but synne maketh people wretched and miserable ¶ The emperour Alexander hearynge that a poore olde woman was ylle intreated with one of his souldiours he dyscharged hym and gaue hym in bondage vnto the woman to get hir hir liuynge with his crafte for as muche as he was a carpenter ¶ Aristides called the rightuouse beynge demaunded of one If he were rightuouse of his owne nature Nature saide he hathe muche holpen me there to but yet by myne industrie I haue holpen hir also ¶ In the path of iustice is life the waie that turneth ther from leadeth to death ¶ Iustice mounteth the people in honour sinne maketh people wretched and miserable ¶ Be not ouermuche iust in extremitee and fauoure no more than is necessary ¶ My sonne desirynge wysedome kepe thou true Iustice and god almighty wyll geue it vnto the. ¶ He is a iuste man that spaceth not hym selfe Iudge ACcordynge to the iudge of the people so bee his officers ¶ Suche as bee rulers of a citee suche be the commons ¶ Presentes and gyftes make â—lynde iudges ¶ Couet not to bee a iudge excepte thou bee of power able to subdewe iniquitees leaste perchance thou shalt feare the state of a great man and geue occasion of rebuke in thyne owne hastinesse ¶ Euerlastyng wo shall be to theym whiche make vnrightewyse lawes and doe write agaynst iustice to the intent that they wyll oppresse poore menne in iudgemente and violentely subuerte the cause of the people ¶ All doe loue presentes and folowe rewardes to the fatherlesse chylde they do not minister Iustice the poore widows matter cometh not before them ¶ Here therfore ye kynges and vnderstande ye Learne ye iudges of all partes of the worlde Gyue eares ye that rule ouer multitudes and delyte youre selfe in the trouble of people for power is giuen to you froÌ„ our lorde which shall examine your actes inserche your thoughtes for whan ye were ministers of his kyngedome ye iudged not straitely ne kept the lawes of true iustice ne went after his pleasure horriblye and shortely he wyll appere to you for most so reste iudgementes shall bee to theym that haue rule ouer other To the poore man merci is graunted but the mighty man shal suffer mightily tourmeÌ„tes ¶ Take thou no gyftes which do make wyse men blynde and peruerte the woordes ofâ— theym that be rightuouse Iudgement HE that iustifieth an vngracious person and he that condemneth a good man they before god bee bothe abhominable ¶ The kyte in the ayre knoweth hir tyme the turtil the stork and the swalowe dooe come at theyr seasons my people know not theyr lordes iudgement ¶ A good man wyll not in his friendes cause dooe againste a weale publyke agaynste his â—th nor agaynst the trust which is put in him for he laieth aside the personage of a frende whaÌ„ he taketh on hym a iudges office ¶ The emperoure Alexander woulde neuer suffer to be solde the office of a iudge or greatte authoritee in the execucion of lawes saiyng Nedes muste he sell that doth bye And I wyll not lettet at there shal be marchauntes of gouernaunce whiche if I dooe suffer I maye not condemne for I am ashamed to punish a man that bieth and selleth ¶ Themistocles beyng the chiefe iudge in Athenes when ther came to hym a great musician whiche desired of hym a thynge somewhat against iustice Themistocles aunswered If in singyng thou doest not regard nuÌ„bre and tym thou art not worthy to bee called a good musician nor I a good iudge yf I wolde preferre before the lawes the priuate fauoure
tamed ¶ That whiche is infixed and ingeÌ„dred by nature is not lyghtly remoued by crafte ¶ Thou dooest naughte thou man moste vnkynde whyche saiest that thou haste nothinge of god but of nature I telle the Nature withoute God is nothynge nor god is withoute nature but bothe are one and be not diuers in office Necessitee NEcessitee makethe that quicke which els would be dul and oft times dispaire is chiefe cause of hope ¶ Suffer and blame not that whiche thou maiest not escape ¶ Thynke howe they that bee gyued take fyrst greuousely the weight of their yrons and lette of their going At the last whan they leaue to disdain these thinges and dooe determine to suffre theym necessytee compelleth them to beare it valyantly and custome to thynke the pein easie ¶ It is Necessitee that in perill of wrecke dyschargeh the shyppe of his burdeyne It is Necessitee that by pluckynge downe houses doo keepe theim from brennyng Tyme maketh necessitee a lawe Nobilitee VUhat nobilitee rythesse or puissaunce mai be sted faste and sure sens god may make kinges baser ye than those that be lowest ¶ The only lyberty before god is Not to dooe seruyce to syn ¶ The thiefe nobility before god is To excell in all vertue ¶ What auaileth noble linage to hym whiche is with vilaine maners reproched or what reproch is a pore stocke vnto him whiche is with good maners adourned ¶ He that bosteth alwaie of his auncestours declareth hymselfe to be vnworthy of preyses ¶ The more honourable that the life of the auncestoure is after estemed the moâ—e reprocheful is the vice of the linage that them succedeth ¶ Iphicrates a valiaunte captain but the sonne of a shoemaker beyng therwith imbrayded of Hermodius a noble manne borne aunswered in this wyse My bloude taketh begynnynge at me and thy bloudde at the nowe taketh hir farewell Obstinaâ—y ¶ To resist in vayne and with muche trauayle to get noughte but displeasure is extreme foly Obedience VUhat maner of obedieÌ„ce may be there where vice is muche made of and rulers not regarded whose contempt is the original fountaine of mischiefe in euery weale publyke ¶ Ye seruauntes obey ye your soueraignes carnall in all thinges not seruyng to the eye as it were to plese men but in symplicitee of thought fearyng almightie god Better is obedieÌ„ce thaÌ„ sacrifice ¶ He that resisteth authoritee resisteth gooddis ordinance ¶ It is a generall couâ—naunte made by mankynde to be obedyent to kynges howe muche more vnto god which reigneth ouer all creatures ¶ If thou wilt be wise be euer obedient for it is written Desyrest thou wisedome than kepe the commandementes and god will geue hir vnto the. ¶ Theopompus the kynge of Lacedemonia to one whyche saied That the countreie was well kepte because that kynges there knewe howe to gouerne he aunswered No not so but rather because the people knoweth how to obey theim ¶ Some fautes of rulers and officers ought to bee tollerate for he that goeth aboute to correct shal not profit so much as vse to disobey their superiours shall bryng to men detriment Pacience THe pacient man wil suffre for a tyme and after shall comme restytucion of gladnesse ¶ All that happeneth vnto the suffre in thy trouble and haue pacience alwaie in thy pouertee For golde and syluer are proued with fyre and men bee acceptable whan they bee in the ouen of worldly aduersitee ¶ Better is he that contempneth wronge than he that is greued therwith for he that contemneth it doth despise it as if he felte it not but he that is grâ—ued therwith is tourmented as if he felte it ¶ If thou wylte bee noble of courage suppose that no displeasure may happen vnto the but saie this of thine enemy He wolde haue hurt me but he hurteth me not and whan thou perceiuest hym to be in thy danger thynke that to bee vengeaunce sufficient that thou moughtest be reuenged Peace BLessed bee they that make peace for they shal be called the children of god ¶ Euery realm deuided ageinst it selfe shall be made desolate euery city or hous in it selfe deuided shall not stande or abide He that hath not peace of the hâ—rt the mouth the act ought not to be called a christen man ¶ He that punisheth his body and keepeth not concorde he praiseth god on the taber and not in the quier Periurie ¶ He that prouoketh a maÌ„ for to sweare and knoweth that he shall sweare falsely he is worse than a murtherer for a murtherer sleeth the bodie but he sleeth the soule ye two sowles togyther his whome he procured to swear and also his owne ¶ The punyshement of periuty by goddes lawe is deathe by mans lawe perpetuall infamie ¶ I saie vnto you that ye in no wise do sweare least by that swearyng ye came to the poynt to sweare lightly and that by lightnesse ye come vnto custom and frome custome ye falle into periurie ¶ He that is readie to bee forsworn he semeth to be forsworn before he sweare falsly for god iudgeth not onely by dedes but also by thoughtes whiche procede from the herte ¶ No man sweareth often but he is sometyme forsworne lyke as he that vseth to speake muche speaketh somtyme thynges out of reason ¶ He is a double offender that taketh the name of god in vain and deceiueth his neighbour Peryfl THere is nothyng so sure that it is out of danger perchance of that thynge whiche is of no puissance ¶ If thou mayst not clerely escape out of peril choose rather to dye honestely than to lyue shamefully Pouertee IT is soone made redye and easy that nature de syreth to thynges superfluouse sweate is requyred ¶ The pacience of poore men at the ende shall not perisshe ¶ Better is litell in the feare of our lord than great treasure whiche will neuer be faciate ¶ They be poore in spirit whiche when they do good thei giue praises to god whan they doo yl they lay faute in them selfes ¶ The lyfe of man is not in aboundaunce of rychesse but in vertue and faithe this treasure shall make the a ryche man yf thou be ryche to godwarde ¶ If thou wylte lyue after nature thou shalt neuer be poore yf after thyne opinion thou shalte neuer be ryche Prayer GOd is farre from theym whiche doo not honour hym and gladly he wyll here the praiers of good men ¶ Watche and praie ye that ye enter not into temptacion ¶ Thy praier is thy speche vnto God whan thou redest god talketh with the whan thou praiest thou talkest with god ¶ The two winges wherwith a man fleeth vnto god be these if thou forgeuest hym whiche hath offended the and helpeste hym who
the gouernor perisheth goth to wracke eueÌ„ so do the citces For if a subiect do amisse he hurteth him selfe more greuousely than the welth publyke but whan the ruler the gouernour or prynce mysdooeth he hurteth the holl coÌ„minaltee Therfore â—oeasmuch as he must gyue a strayte counte if he rule not well it were nedefull that he with exquisite diligence both speake and do euery thyng and so auoide all danger The cercle and whele of these worldly thynges be often times turned the which at turned somtyme this waie sometyme that way Truely in these thynges is no equalitee for in theim is neyther constance nor yet any sure foundacion Therfore O moste myghty Emperour emonge these thaungeable mouynges and vnstedynesse of thynges looke that thou haue a stedfast thought and mynde with true feythe and pitee Thou shalt flee withstande the enticyng communicacion of flatterers as thou wouldeste eschewe a sort of rauenyng crowes For crowes pecke out the corporalle eyes but flatterers blynde the vnderstandynge of mans soule whan they will not suffre hym to perceiue the trouthe of thynges For either they preise thynges that are worthy to be dispreised or els dispreise thynges most worthy to be preised so that one of these two muste nedes folowe that is either the coÌ„mendacion and laude of yll and wycked caytiues or els the contempte and dispreise of good men An emperours mynde muste alwaie be constant For why to chaunge with euery waueryng and vnstedfaste thynge is a token of an inconstaunt mynde Therfore thou shouldest cleaue and affixe thy selfe to good and vertuous men whiche shall stablysshe and make stedfaste thy kyngedome and empyre Nor thou shouldest not proudely eleuate thy selfe nor yet without reason to muche submitte thy selfe but prudentely after the vse and custome of wise menne surely to grounde the in constance For who so euer groundly thynketh vpon the deceitfulnesse of this lyfe and will also beholde the vilenesse and shortnesse therof considerynge farthermore the bodily filthinesse he wyl neuer waxe proude be he in neuer so high a dignitee Aboue all other precious ornamentes that any kyngedome hath the crowne of pitee and of diuine seruice doeth most hyght and ornate a kynges and an emperours maiestee For why erthely rychesse fouour of the comminaltee laude and preise door soone vanisshe awaie but the glorye of good and vertuouse lyfe is immortal and shal neuer be forgotie Me thinke it muche vnconneniente that the poore man and the riche shuld suffre lyke harme by contrary and diuers causes The riche by abundaunce and great welfare at corrupted the poore perysshe the roughe famyne and scarcitee Farthermore thy ryche possesseth all the worlde the poore man hath not where he may set his foote Therfore to th entent that they bothe maie be holpe they muste be ruled by deduction that is the riche must giue to the poore and so the inequalitee shall bee brought to equalitee The tyme and season of prosperous lyfe whiche certayne olde prophetes dyd pronostycate shoulde come whan wyse men should gouerne and rule or kynges waxe philosophere is now manifested opened For truely you geuing nowe and appliyng your selfe to phylosophy and wisedom are esteemed worthy to bee râ—â—ers but specially whan in your auctoritee and gouernyng ye decline not from reason and wisedome For yf to loue wysedome maketh the philosopher and the beginnyng of wisedom is the feare of god whiche by muste euermore remembre who can saie but my writynge is true and as cleere as true For certayne we affirme the to be an emperour seeyng thou wilt ouercome and subdue thy voluptuous pleasures And thaÌ„ thou art crowned with the diademe of chastitee and thaÌ„ thou shewest thy self arraied with the purpull robe of Iustice. As for all other thynges vanyshe awaie these vertues bee immortall all other pleasures and worldly dignitees peryshe but as these vertues be farre from all periâ—â—e so they bee euerlastyng ¶ If thou wilt be beloued and honoured of all men loke thou healpe all men For certainely there is nothyng that causeth a man to be beloued and honoured so soone as to healpe and succour poore men for the cappyng and knelyng that is done for feare is fucate and figured flattery of feigned honour Thy empyre by all ryght and reason is therfore the more worthy to bee honoured and preysed that it feareth and keepeth his ennemies vnder and shewing to his subiectes all kyndnesse kepeth them in good prosperitee Therfore as it ouercometh his ennemies by strengthe of armis so his subiectes by charitee good loue surmounte and ouercome his gentylnesse and goodnesse Truly betwene these .ii. kyndes of humanitee loue is no more difference than is betwene the tame sheepe and other wylde beastes Though an emperour in body be lyke all other yet in power he is lyke God and mayster of all men For in earthe he hathe no peere Therfore as god bee thou neuer chafed or angry as man be thou neuer proude For thoughe thou bee lyke God in face yet for al that thou art but erthe whiche thyng teacheth the to be equall to euery man Accept and fauour theim that geue the good counsail but not those that flatter the good couÌ„sailours consider what ought to be done flatters consider what may please men of might which â—latterers are lyke mens shadowes For they gaynsaie nothyng but alowe and preise what euer is saied Be so to thyne as thou woldest that god shoulde bee to the For as we heare other so wee shal be herdeâ— and as we fauourâ— other so God will fauour vs. Therfore let vs first shew mercy be merciful that in like maner we maie obteine mercy As a fayre glasse expresseth the very true phisnomy of maÌ„ that is to goodly beautifull persones their beautifulnesse and of yll fauoured theyr yll fauourâ— so the rightousnesse and equitee of God is likened to our deedes For after our deeces God will rewarde vs. Doo that ye intende coldely but yet doo it speedily that ye purpose to dooe For foolysshe hastynesse in euery thyng is veraâ—e perillous Truely who that marketh diligently what myschyefe ryseth of hastinesse shall soone perceiue and lykewyse vnderstande the commoditee of good counsaile as sick folke after theyr sickenesse vnderstande the pleasure of helth Therfore most prudent prince with sage counsayle deuoute praiers made to god loke thou diligently serche and inquere what shal be profitable for the to rule and gouerne this world Thou shalte best gouerne thy noble empyre yf thou ouersee all thynges thy selfe and suffre nothynge negligently to passe Nor it is not a small thynge in the that in comparison to thy subiectes appereth to bee small For the leaste woorde of an emperoure is amonge all folkes ryghte highly esteemed and of great auctoritee Because there is no erthely man that can constreigne the to obserue and kepe thy lawes enforce thy selfe to vse and kepe theym For yf thou diligenâ—ely obserue theym thou shalt manifestely