God and what heauen is Sith that thou art mortall care for those things which are mortall 3 The feare of death doth driue away ioyes Leaue the feare of death for it is a foolish thing in euery time or at all times Whilest thou fearest death thou losest the ioyes of life 4 Angrinesse is to be taken heed of Doe not thou contend being angry concerning an vncertaine matter Anger dooth hinder the minde that it cannot see the truth 5 We must spend where or when neede is Make cost or spend quickly when the matter it selfe doth desire or when iust occasionis For somthing is to be giuen when time or matter dooth require 6 A moderate fortune or meane estate is more safe Fly that which is ouermuch remember to reioyce in a little The ship is more safe which is caried in a moderate riuer or streame 7 Hidden vices are to be kept in or concealed Thou being wise remember to hide from thy fellowes that thing which may shame thee Least moe men blame that thing which dooth displease thee alone 8 Hidden things are reuealed at length Al. I will not that thou think vvicked men to gaine their sinnes Sinnes lie hid in times and lye open in time 9 Weaknesse is recompensed by vertue Doe not thou contemne the strength of a little bodie or a weak body Hee excels in counsell to whom nature hath denied strength 10 We must yeeld to a more mighty man for a time Giue place in time to him whom thou shalt knowe not to be equall to thee Wee see oft times the conquerour to bee ouercome of the conquered or of him who was vanquished 11 Not to brawle with our familiar friends Doe not thou contende in words against thy knowen friend The greatest strife dooth growe somtimes by the least words 22 Fortune is not to bee sought by lot Do not inquire or search out curiously by lotte what God intends He himselfe doth deliberate without thee what he determineth concerning thee 13 Riot doth breed hatred Remember thou to shun enuie in too much tricking or finenesse Which enuy if or although it do not hurt yet it is a grieuous thing to suffer or beare it 14 Our minde is not to bee put down or cast down for vniust iudgement Be thou of a valiant minde when thou art condemned vniustly No man doth reioice long which dooth ouercome by an vniust iudge 15 Strife is not to bee rubbed againe or renewed to friends reconciled Do not thou relate or rehearse the euill speeches of strife past It is the property of euill men to remember anger after enmities 16 Neither praise thou thy selfe nor blame or dispraise thy selfe Thou thy selfe maiest neither praise thy selfe neither shalt thou blame thy selfe Fools do this whom vain glorie doth vex 17 Sparing Vse moderately things gotten when cost or our expence dooth abound or exceede our abilitie It slides away in a little time which hath beene gotten in a long time 18 The eye-brow or countenance is to be put down sometime or It is good sometime to counterfeit folly Bee vnwise or faine lightnesse or folly when time or matter doth require To faine or counterfait foolishnesse in place or when opportunity serueth is the chiefest wisedome 19 Be thou neither prodigall nor couetous Fly riotousnes and withall or together remember to shun The crime of couetousness for they are contrarie to fame or good reputation 20 Wee must beleeue little or giue small credit to a prattler Do not thou belieue a man reporting alwaies certaine things or som strange matters For very little credit is to bee giuen to them who speak many things 21 The drunken man let him not accuse the wine Do not thou pardon thy selfe that thou offendest by drink or by ouermuch drinking For there is no fault of the wine but the fault is of the drinker 22 Counsels are to bee credited or committed to our friends Commit secret counsell to a close companion Commit the helpe of thy bodie to a faithfull Physitian 23 The successe of euill men let it not offend thee Doe not thou beare or take greeuously the vnworthy successes of euill men Fortune doth cocker euill men that it may hurt them The first verse may be more easie thus Noli successus indignos ferre molestè 24 Future chances to bee foreseene Look to these chances to be borne which do come or all out For whatsoeuer thou shalt look vnto before doth hurt more lightly 25 The minde is to bee cherished with hope in aduersity Doe not thou submit or cast down thy minde in aduersity Retaine hope one hope or hope alone doth not leaue a man in death 26 Opportunity is to bee holden when it hapneth or falleth out Doe not thou let pass the matter which thou knowest to be apt to thee or for thee Occasion or opportunity is hayrie in the forehead it is balde after or behinde 27 Future things â—re to be gathered of things past Look to that thing which followeth and see before that which hangeth ouer See that thou imitate that God which looketh to either part or to both parts or which seeth both before and behinde 28 A regard of our life is to be had Be thou somtime more sparing that thou maist be more strong or more healthfull Few things are due to pleasure moe things are due to health 29 We must giue place to the multitude Thou being one or alone shalt neuer contemne the iudgement of the people Least thou please no man whilest thou wilt contemne many men 30 Health is to be cared for Let there bee especially a care of health to thee which thing is the first thing Thou maiest not blame the times when thou art a cause of griefe to thy selfe 31 Dreames are not to be obserued Thou maiest not care for dreames for what thing mans minde doth wish Hoping for when it doth awake it dooth see that same thing by sleep Or thus The minde of man doth see that same thing by sleep
in secret speech He himselfe guilty to himselfe dooth think all things to be spoken of himselfe 18 We must think of aduerse things or aduersity in prosperous things or in prosperity When thou shalt be happy or in prosperitie beware of those things which are aduerse or against thee The last things do not answere to the first things in the same course 19 The death of another is not to be hoped for Sith that a doubtfull life and a fraile life is giâ—n to vs. Doe not thou put hope to thy selfe or doe not thou hope in the death of another man 20 The minde is to be esteemed in the gift When a poore friend doth giue a little gift to thee Take thou it pleasingly or kindely and remember to praise it fully 21 The induring of pouerty Sith that nature hath created thee a naked infant Remember to beare patiently the burden of pouerty 22 Death is not to be feared Thou maiest not feare that death which is the last end of life He that feareth death loseth that same thing that he liueth 23 The ingratitude of friends is to be flâ—dde Iâ— no friend answere to thee for thy deserts or according to thy deseruings Doe not accuse God but thou thy selfe keepe vnder thy selfe 24 Frugality or thriftinesse Vse things gotten sparingly least any thing bee wanting to thee And that thou maiest keepe that which is or that which thou hast thinke thou alwaies it to bee wanting to thee or that thou maiest want 25 A promise iterated or repeated againe is greeuous or offensiue Thou shalt not promise twise to any man that thing which thou canst performe Least thou be windy or a boaster whilst thou wilt be accounted 〈◊〉 or courteous friendly 26 Art is to be deluded by Art He that doth dissemble in words neither is a faithfull friend in heart Thou also do the like thing so art is deluded by art or cunning 27 Faire speaking is suspected or ought to be suspected Doe not thou approue ouer much men flattering in speech The pipe singeth or soundeth sweetly wilst the fouler doth deceiue the Birde 28 Children are to be instructed in arts If children be to thee or if thou haue children neither wealth or but no wealth then instruct them in Arts whereby they may be able to defend their poor life or to get their liuing 29 How things are to be esteemed Think thou or esteeme that thing which is cheape to be deare that which is deare to be cheape So thou shalt be accounted neither sparing to thy selfe nor couetous to any 30 Things blamed or blame worthy are not to be done Thou thy selfe shalt not do those things which thou art wont to blame It is a dishonest thing to the teacher when a fault reproues himselfe or when hee himselfe dooth that which hee blameth in others 31 Things to be granted are to be asked Aske thou that which is â—ust or that which may seeme honest For it is a foolish thing to aske that which may be denied by right 32 Knowne things are not to bee changed for vnknowne things Do not thou put before or preferre a thing vnknowne to thee to knowne things or before knowne things Knowne things do consist in iudgement or doe stand on certaintie vnknowne things do consist in chance 33 Euery day is to be thought the last day Sith that our life is tossed doubtfully or conuersant in vncertaine dangers Whosoeuer thou art which labourest put or account the day to thee for gaine 34 We must obey or please our friends Giue place or yeeld somtime to thy fellow wheÌ„ thou arâ—able to ouercome Because sweete friendes are ouercome by pliantness or yeelding to 35 The duties of friendship ought to be mutuall Thou maiest not doubt to bestow little things when thou askest great things For fauour or loue dooth ioyne together deare friends by these things 36 Friendship hateth braulings Beware to bring in strife to him with whom fauour or goodwil is ioyned to thee or with whoÌ„ thou art in loue Anger doth breed hatred concord doth nourish or increase loue 37 Correction ought to bee without anger When griefe dooth vrge thee vnto anger for the fault of thy seruants Thou thy selfe moderate thy selfe that thou maiest spare thine or thy seruants 38 To ouercome by patience Ouercome thou him somtimes by bearing or for bearing whom thou mayest ouercome by force For patience hath been alwaies the greatest vertue of manners 39 Things gotten are to be kept Keep or saue together rather those things which are now gotten by labour When our labour is in losse or in repayring our loss deadly neediness dooth increase or growe 40 Thou must consult or look to thy selfe especially When thou being happy or in prosperity shalt be somtimes liberall or franke to thy knowne Al. and deere friends be thou alwaies next or best to thy selfe or look first to thy selfe or to thine own estate The second Book of Al. disticks concerning manners or of morall disticks The Preface IF perhaps thou wilt or desirest to know the tillage of the earth Reade thou Virgill if that thou labourest more to knowe The forces or vertues of hearbs Macer will tell thee in verse If thou couetest to knowe the Romane warres or the Punicke warres Thou maiest seeke Lucane who will tell thee the battels of Mars or of warre If it list thee any thing or at all to loue or to learne to loue by reading or thorough reading any thing concerning loue Seek Naso or Ouid but if this care bee to thee or if thou haue this care That thou maiest liue a wise man heare thou to the intent that thou maiest learne By what thing the life or age is ledde being seuered or free from vices Therefore come thou hither and learne by reading what wisedome is 1 We must deserue well of all men Remember thou to profit euen men vnknowne if thou canst or if thou be able It is more profitable then a kingdome to get friends by deserts Or thus To get friends by desert is more profitable then a kingdome 2 Secret things are not to be searched Omit to inquire the secrets of
or in sleeping which it wisheth hoping whilst it awaketh The third Book of disticks of Manners The Preface O Reader whosoeuer thou art which wilt or desirest to knowe this verse Thou shalt beare in mind these precepts which are most acceptable or profitable to life or to good liuing Instruct thy minde in precepts neither thou maiest cease to learne For the life without learning is as an image of death Thou shalt beare or reap many commodities but if thou shalt despise that or this verse Thou shalt not neglect me the writer but thou shalt neglect thy selfe 1 See that thou feare not the tongue of other men in doing rightly When thou liuest rightly or well thou mayest not care for the words of euill men It is not of our arbitrement or it lieth not in vs what euery one may speak 2 The crime of a friend is to be concealed Thou being produced as a witnesse yet the modest shame or honesty of thy friend being safe before Conceale the crime of thy friend asmuch-as-euer thou canst 3 Faire speaking is suspected or suspicious Remember thou to beware of fawning and stammering or counterfetting speeches Simplicitie of trueth is sound or sincere but the fraud or deceitfulnesse of speaking is fained 4 A sluggish life is to be fled Fly thou slothfulnes which is accounted the sluggishness of life For when the minde dooth languish idleness or litherness doth consume the body 5 The minde wearied is to be released Put between somtimes ioies or honest recreations to thy cares or labours That thou maiest be able to indure any labour in thy minde 6 Thou mayest reprehend no man with an euill minde Thou shalt not carpe at at any time the saying or deede of another man Least that another man deride thee by a like example 7 Our inheritance is to be increased Keepe thou by increasing those things which the last lot or last will of thy friends being noted or set down in tables or writings shall giue thee least thou be he whom fame may speak of or of whom all men may talk 8 Let old age be bountifull VVhen riches remaine to thee in the end of old age Make thou or see thou that thou liue bountifull not niggardly to thy friends or toward thy friends 9 The words are to be attended not the mouth of the speaker Thou being a maister or thou that art a maister do not despise the profitable counsell of thy seruant Thou mayest despise the aduise or counsell of no man at any time if it profit 10 We must vse our present fortune or we must be content with our present estate If there be not to thee or if thou haue not that thing vvhich hath beene before in goods or reuenew or in yeerly maintenance or rents Make thou or see that thou liue content with that which the times doe giue or afford 11 Awife is not to be married in hope of Dowrie Fly thou or beware least thou marry or that thou doe not marry a wife vnder the name or in regard of a dowrie Neither will thou or bee thou willing to retaine her if she shall begin to be troublesom 12 To be wise by another mans example Learne thou by the example of many men what deedes tâ—ou mayest follow What deedes thou mayest flie or thou oughtest to flie another mans life is a mistresse to vs. 13 Nothing is to be tried aboue our strength Thou maiest trie that thing which thou canst or art able to bring to passe least thy labour being oppressed with the waight of the worke doe faint or yeeld and thou leaue things tryed or assayed in vaine or without effect 14 Hee that holdeth his peace doth seeme to consont Doe not thou holde thy peace at that thing which thou hast knowen done not rightly or ill done Least thou seeme to will or to be willing to imitate euill men in holding thy peace 15 Rigour is to be tempered by fauour Aske thou the aide of the iudge vnder an vnequall lawe Yea or euen the lawes themselues doe couet or require that they bee ruled by right 16 See that thou beare those things which thou sufferest by thine owne fault Remember thou to beare patiently what thing thou sufferest deseruedly And when thou art guiltie to thy self or when thou knowest thy selfe guilty condemne thyselfe thou being iudge 17 Many things are to bee read but with iudgement Make thou or see thou that thou reade many things they being read throughly read ouer many moe For the Poets doe sing things to be maruelled at but not to be beleeued 18 We must speak modestly in a banquet Make thou or see that thou bee modest in speech amongst guests or at a feast Least thou be called a pratler whilst thou wilt or desirest to be accounted ciuill 19 The angrinesse of wiues is not to be feared Do not thou feare the words of the angry wife For whilst a woman dooth weep shee dooth build or practice deceits with her teares 20 We must vse things gotten but we must not abuse them Vse things gotten but thou mayest not seeme to abuse them They that do consume their owne things doe follow other folks things when it is wanting to them or when they lack 21 Death is not to be feared Make thou or see that thou propound to thy selfe death not to be feared VVhich death if or although it is not good yet it is the end of euils 22 An honest wife is to bee borne with if or although shee bee apratler or shrew of her tongue Remember thou to beare the tongue of thy wife if she be thriftie For it is an euill thing to will or bee willing to suffer nothing nor to be able to hold the peace 23 Pietie towards Parents Loue thy deere parents not with a sicke or constrained pietie Neither maiest thou offend thy mother whilst thou wilt be good to thy father The fourth Book of disticks concerning Manners The Preface WHosoeuer thou art which couetest to lead a secure life Neither thy mind to stick in vices or to be delightted in vices which are against or
contrary to manners Remember thou these Precepts to be read againe or read ouer and ouer alwaies to thee or of thee Thou shalt finde somthing in which thou maiest vse thy selfe as a maister 1 The contempt of riches Despise riches if thou wilt be blessed in thy minde VVhich riches couetous men which look vp vnto or admire doe beg alwaies or are alwaies needy poore Or thus Which riches they which admire do beg being alwaies couetous 2 To liue according to nature is the best The commodities of nature shal be wanting to thee at no time If thou shalt bee content with that which need or present vse requireth 3 Matters are to be done by reason When thou art vnwarie neither doest gouerne thy matter or businesse by reason Doe not thou call fortune blinde which is not or which is not at all 4 The loue of money ought to be to vse or onely for our vse Loue a penny but loue the forme or sight of it sparingly or not to much Which â—ight no holie man nor honest man desireth greedily to haue 5 Thou mayest not spare thy riches in sicknesse When thou shalt be wealthy remember to care for thy body A sick rich man hath monyes but he hath not himself or the command of himselfe 6 Fatherly correction is to bee borne Sith that thou learning or when thou wast a scholar hast suffered sometimes stripes of thy master Suffer the gouernment of thy father when hee goeth out or breaketh out into anger in words 7 Sure things and profitable things are to be done Doe those things which profit againe remember to shun Those things in vvhich errour is in neither there is sure hope of our labour 8 We must giue willingly Grant freely to a man asking or to him that asketh that which thou canst giue For to haue done well to good men is in part of gaine 9 Suspicion is to bee dispatched forthwith or that which we suspect is to be sought out and preuented presently Discuss or lift out quickly what it is which is suspected to thee or what thou suspectest For those things are wont to hurt which are neglected at the first 10 Lust is to be kept vnder by abstinence When the damnable pleasure of Venus or fleshly lust doth detaine or hold thee Do not pamper thy gullet or throate which is a friend of the belly or which filleth the belly and so nourisheth lust 11 An euill man is the worst wilde beast VVhen as thou doest propound to thy selfe to feare all wilde beasts I commaund or counsell thee one man or man alone to be feared more to thee or of thee then all beasts 12 Wisedome is to be preferred to fortitude or valour When very great strength shall be to thee in thy body or if thou be very strong Make thou or see that thou be wise so thou maiest be accounted a valiant man 13 A friend is Al. a sure physitian Aske thou aide of thy knowne friends if bechance thou labour with any euill or be in any aduersity Neither any man is a better physitian then a faithfull friend 14 A contrite spirit is a sacrifice Why a sacrifice doth die for thee or why doth a sacrifice die for thee sith that thou thy selfe art guilty or the offendour It is foolishnesse to hope for health in the death of another thing 15 A friend is to be chosen by his manners When thou seekest to thy selfe either a companion or a faithfull friend The fortune or wealth of the man is not to be asked or sought after of thee but his life or conuersation 16 Couetousnesse is to be shunned Vse thy riches being gotten fly the name of a couetous man What doe riches profit thee if thou doest abound being poore still or if thou bee poore in thy aboundance 17 Pleasure is an enemie to fame or to a good name If thou couetest to keep an honest fame whilest thou liuest Make thou or see thou that thou flie in thy minde those ioies or pleasures of life which are euill 18 Thou shalt not mock an old man euen doating or although hee doaâ—e When thou art wise in mind do not thou mock at o old-age For whosoeuer is an olde man a childish sense is in him 19 Riches are flowing or vnstable Art is perpetuall Learn somthing for when fortune goeth back suddenly Art doth remaine and doth not forsake the life of man euer 20 Manners are knowne of words Thou being silent or still mark well all things what euery one doth speak or mark euery ones talk Speech doth conceale the manners of men and the same speech doth shew them 21 Art is to be helped by vse Exercise study or study still although thou hast gotten Art As care doth help the wit so also the hand or practise doth help vse or increase learning 22 The contempt of life Thou maiest not care for much the times of destinie or death to come He doth not feare death who knoweth to contemne life 23 We must learne and we must teach Learne thou but of the learned thou thy selfe teach the vnlearned viz. when thou hast learned For the doctrine of good things is to be propagated 24 The manner of drinking Drinke this which thou canst well if thou will liue sound or in health Pleasure is somtimes a cause of an euill disease to man or to men 25 Thou maiest not condemne that which thou hast approued What thing soeuer thou hast praised openly vvhatsoeuer thing thou hast approued See that thou doe not condemne this again by the crime or through the fault of lightnesse or inconstancie 26 Be thou circumspect in either fortune or both estates Beware of or foresee those things which are against thee in quiet things or in prosperitie Againe remember to hope for better things in aduerse things or in aduersitie 27 Wisedome doth increase by studie Thou maiest not cease to learne wisedome doth increase by care Rare prudence is giuen by a long vse of time 28 We must praise sparingly Praise thou sparingly for whom thou hast approued oft times One day will shew what a friend he hath beene 29
Let it not shame thee to learne Let it not shame thee to be willing to be taught those things which thou hast not knowne To knowe somthing is a praise but to be willing to learn nothing or to be vnwilling to learne is a shame 30 Wee must vse things to sobriety Strife is with Venus and Bacchus or strife followeth lust and wine and pleasure is ioyned to them Imbrace in thy minde that which is daintie or pleasant but fly strifes The meaning seemeth to bee this Pleasure is in the vse of lust and wine but strife brawing come oft thereof Loue that which is honest in them but flie the euils of them 31 We must not trust sad and still men Remember thou to shunne men cast down in mind and still or secret Peraduenture the water doth lie hid more deeply where the riuer is calme or where it runneth softly 32 Lot is to be compared to lot When the fortune of thy things doth displease thee Behold the fortune of another man in or by what difference thou maiest be or art worse 33 Nothing is to be vndertaken or attempted beyond our strength Try that thing which thou canst or art able for to take or goe neere vnto the shoare with the rudders Is safer by much then to stretch out or spread abroad the sayle into the deep sea or into the maine sea 34 We must not contende vnequallie with a iust man Do not thou contend wickedly against a iust man For God doth reuenge alwaies vniust angers 35 Either fortune or both estates is to be borne equally or alike Doe not thou lament by complaining thy goods being taken away or when thou hast lost thy goods But reioyce rather if it happen to thee to haue wealth 36 What is to be borne from a friend It is a grieuous losse to lose by losses those things which are or that which a man hath There are certaine things which it becommeth a friend to beare patiently of a friend 37 Wee must not trust to the time Do not promise long times of life to thy selfe Whithersoeuer thou enterest in or which way so euer thou goest death doth follow Al. as the shadow doth follow the body 38 With what things God is to be pacified Pacifie God with frank incense or incense suffer the calfe that he growe vp to the plough or for the plough Neither thou canst beleeue to pacifie God or any man to appease God whilst it is sacrificed to him by slaughter or by sacrifice made by slaughter 39 Dissemble thou being hurt of mightier men or when thou art hurt of mightier men Thou being hurt giue place or yeeld to fortune yeeld to a mighty man Al. He who hath been able to hurt thee will be able sometimes to profit thee or to do thee good 40 Correct thy selfe When thou shalt offend any thing or in any thing thou thy self correct thy self forthwith For whilst thou doest heal wounds greefe is a medicine of greefe 41 A friend being changed is not to be dispraised Thou shalt neuer condemne a friend after a long time Hee hath changed his manners but remember the first pledges of his loue 42 The bestowing of benefits is to bee attended Bee thou more kinde in offices by how much thou art more deare to any Least thou vndergoe the name which is called a Loseoffice or an vnthankfull man 43 Take away suspicion Beware least being suspicious or giuen to suspicion thou bee a wretch or liue in misery at all houres or perpetually For death is most apt to fearefull men and suspicious men 44 Humanitie is to bee exercised towards seruants When thou shalt buy seruants for thine owne vses And callest them seruants neuertheless remember them to be men 45 Thou maiest not omit the occasion of a commodious matter The first occasion is to bee snatched to thee or catched earnestly of thee the first of all Least thou seek again those things which thou hast neglected now before 46 We must not reioyce of the suddain death of wicked men Doe not thou reioyce in the suddaine death of euill men Happy men do die the life of whom is without fault or blame 47 A poore man let him shun a dissembled friend When a wife is to thee or when thou hast a wife neither substance or but no substance and the fame of her doth labour or she is in an euill name See that thou account the hurtfull name of a friend to bee shunned or Beware of those men who haunt thy house vnder pretence of friendship 48 Ioyne study When it chanceth to thee to knowe many things by thy study Make or see that thou learn manie things and that thou shun not to knowe or to be ouer-proud to be taught 49 Breuity is a friend or friendly to memory Dost thou maruell mee to write verses or that I write verses in naked or bare words The shortness of the sense or sentences hath made mee to ioyne these verses two and two or by couples together FINIS a called b of the precepts of the common course of life * Erasmus Roterdame being correctour c corrected and expounded by Erasmus d The fore-speech or speech set before the book e Whereas I did obserue or perceiue f to offend greatly g in their manner or order of liuing h I haue â—dged it meet or thought good i to prouide for k their weakness or errour l chiefly m commendably or with commendation n come to o Now therefore p â—fter what manner or in what soâ—t q orâ—er or fashion thy manners r my lessons or instructions s in such sort t is to despise and contemne learning u make humble supplication to God or vse to pray to God x Loue thy father mother entirely y Haue thy kin in estimation z teacher a Keep diligently b that which is committed to thee c Come not to plead before thou be instructed what to say d for the barr e with them who are vertuously and well disposed f Thrust not â—n thy selfe to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 other mens matters g handsome or neat not slouenlike h Salute others cheerefully i to him that is migh tier then thou or striue not with him that is mightier then thy selfe k Be not cruell or rigorous against thy inferiour l Be not vnthrifty m modesty or shamefastnesse n Be carefull in thy affaires o Giue thy selfe to
defiled or spotted g hurt hinder or marre h good manners i to read ouer these Precepts often k finde in them l which may guide thee as a master m if thou desire to be happy in thy soule n look vpon or haue in admiration or doate vpon * to nature o the best thing p Things necessarie for the life shall neuer faile thee q necessity of nature r doth require s Things are to be managed or performed t by wisdom u inconsiderate or not circumspect x order y with wisdome discretion z say fortune to bee blind or do not coÌ„plaine of blind fortune a seeing there is no fortune b loue money c the beholding of it shew or glittering d bee not in loue with the sight of it e sight of money f no good man g catcheth at greedily or desireth earnestly h See thou spare not i wealth or goods k If thou shalt be rich or full of goods l prouide for the health of thy body m A rich man being sick n money o is not his owne man or cannot finde in his heart to bestow ought of him selfe p The fathers correction q whereas r hast borne or taken gently s the sharpe correction t when hee breaketh out into angry speeches or into chiding u Things certaine or vndoubted x Imploy thy selfe in such things which may be profitable y contrarily z to auoide a there is errour or doubt or which are doubtfull b of the profit of our labour c willingly gladly d to haue bin bountifull or beneficiall e rightly f to men deseruing well g is a part of gaine or gainfull h A mischiefe i is to be searched out and preuented k Straightway l Inquire diligently m speedily n do hurt o haue bin neglected p in the beginning or first q Venus fleshlie lust lecherie or carnall loue r to be repressed s catch hold on thee or delight thee or when thou art trobled with lust * cocker t appetite or giue not thy selfe to gluttony or good chear u the leman or paramour x is worse then any wilde beast y doest think or determine z to be affraide of or to auoide warily * liuing creatures a to feare a wicked man more then all wilde or brute beasts b before strength manhood or puissance c very valiant or mighty d thou get wisdome e thou shalt be able to accounted deemed or â—udged Al. the physitian of the heart f Require helpe g perhaps or peraduenture h thou bein any daunger distresse or griefe i is there any better comforter k A heart trobled or sorrowfull for sin l a beast to be sacrificed m faulty or hast offended n deliuerance saluation or safety o by the death of a beast sacrificed p behauiour or qualities * to thee r a fellow s a true friend t to be enquired for * to thee u thou art not to regard how rich he is but how honest x Auarice y auoided z thy wealth a which thou hast sought or gotten b shunne c note or infamy * What riches doe profit d to what end serue thy goods e liuing as a poore man or neuer hauing enough f desirest g name report estimation h during thy life i shun with all diligence k those things which are the euill ioyes of life as gluttony lechery and the like l laugh at m yea though n in thy minde or conceit old men p very old r he is a childe again or doateth q wit s vanishing t running u remaineth stable x Get some trade Art or Science y wealth goeth away of a sudden z departeth or is lost a Skill abideth a at any time b by words or speeches c Consider well being silent or holding thy peace d hide e discouer or bewray f the conditions of men g attained the learning or the Art which thou studiest h Euen as i study doth increase wisdoÌ„ k labour or manuall exercise l Care not much for m fate n to make no reckoning of life * It is to be learned of vs and to be taught o of learned men p the knowledge science or skill q to bee spread abroad or made common by teaching others r The moderation or measure s Drink so much as thou maiest well or as will do thee good t of many euill and great diseases u Do not condemne x allowed or commended y before all men z Beware a blame not or finde not fault with b through thy inconstancie c Look well about thee or be thou very considerate d both in prosperity and aduersity e In prosperity beware of c. f to look for g when thou art in aduersity h Do not cease oâ— giue-ouer i the knowledge of things k groweth by daily study l Singular wisedome m by long experience or study m moderately or not too much n commended o Time will declare p Be not ashamed q to learne r what thou knowest not s To haue some knowledge t a dishonest and shamefull thing u soberly x Or thus Strife is ioyned with Venus and Bacchus and pleasure is ioyned y carnall loue or lust z Bacchus the God of wine put for wine a Chuse that which * Venus the Goddesse of loue put for loue b men ouer heauy or silent and close c which are commonly sad hiding their counsells d in what part it is the fullest e We are to compare our estate with the estate of others f condition estate or meaneness of thy estate g goods a View look vpon or consider b danger * to be gone vnto h aboue or past our abilitie i Take that in hand which thou art able to atchieue k to rowe by the sea side l to hoyse vp saile m vniustly n vpright o Striue not p peruersly or iniuriously q punish r contentions or wrongs s aswell aduersity as prosperity t The first of these two verses is corrupted It would be Noli mâ—rere quereÌ„do or dolendo u Be not heauie and dumpish x if thou chance to haue wealth y Or to lose by losses those things which are is a great loss c. z great a damages mishaps or mischances b as speeches or hurts done at vnawares or the like c haue confidence d do not promise to thy selfe long life or that thou shalt liue long e whersoeuer thou art mors corpus vt vmbra Al. as the shadow of the body f appeased g offering or burning incense to him h Permit or let the calf growe vp to labour i thinke k whilst he is sought to be appeased by slaughter l by blood or the killing of beasts for sacrifice m Hide thy greefe making no shew of it n Yeeld thou to fortune when thou art hurt c. o mightier Al. He that could yeeld He that could do thee hurt p Reproue thy selfe q check or reprehend r incontinently s a remedy physick or cure t dispraise or speak ill of u who hath bin thy friend long x his first loue or the bond of thy first loue y more thankfull z in duties or dutifulness a more beholden indebted b get the name or incurre the ignominy or note of c an vnthankfull body or one vpon whom a benefit bestowed is lost d Be not suspicious e See that thou take heed * suspected f alwaies liuing in feare g death is better then life to such men h Compassion or curtesie i bond slaues k need necessity or behoofe l houshold seruants slaueâ— m notwithstanding n that they are men not beasts o pretermit let slip or pass ouer p of a speciall commodity offered q very quickly or out of hand r seek those things too late s made no reckoning of before t at the vntimely u death or departure x They die happy or they are counted happy in their death y whole life hath bin without crime or blamelesse z Let a poor man beware of a a counterfeit friend b no goods c she is suspected for Jewdness or inconstancy d noysome or dangerous e Ioyne study to study or study still f when thou hast gotteÌ„ much learning g thou eschew or take heed of that fault h to be ignorant or to be vnwilling to be taught i Shortness k a help or profitable l do you wonder that I thus write m without any cloquence n Breuity o because the sentences are short p to tye them together q by disticks or by two and two
CATO TRANSLATED Grammatically Directing for vnderstanding construing parsing making and proouing the same Latine and so for continuall practice of the Grammaticall Analysis and Genesis Done for the good of Schooles and of all desirous to recouer or keep that which they got in the GRAMMARSCHOOLE or to increase therein AT LONDON Printed by H. L. for Thomas Man 1612. TO MY REVErend and worthy Brother Mr. Doctour HALL THe wise Marchant that after long trauel vvith much searching and aduenturing dooth thinke that he hath found som rich treasure although he doe much reioyce in it yet will not trust himself but will vse all meanes of trial of it by the most skilfull and expert before he will aduenture his estate vpon an vncertaine commodity or offer any way to vent the same Blame mee not then my reuerend and dearest Brother if after triall of this kinde of translation by my selfe and others I craue of you to bee in stead of many for bringing it vnto the touch to trie whether it be in all things according to the worth which I haue conceiued of it for carrying-on the little ones in so plaine and so pleasant a way to all good learning For whom can I finde more meet then your selfe And first in regard of that right noble Hope to whom I haue Dedicated my first assay in this kinde being as yet vnable to iugde thereof considering your louingest affection so duely and publikely testified to that honorable House Secondlie in regard of the generall sort to whom you haue not more approued your loue in your painfull and woorthy labours then they in their glad imbracing of the same And for me Who hath euer witnessed more true and sound affection first in comforting and supporting your faithfullest sister in that her long and weary combat of so many yeeres together against the manifolde terrours assaults and tortures of the bloody Enemy and that not only priuately by your tenderest Letters but publikelie in that most sweet Epistle which hath been for the comfort of many a fainting soule Wherein you did not leaue her destitute of your brotherlie consolations vntill the Lord who strengthned her to be faithfull vnto the death had vouchsafed vnto her a most glorious victorie and translating her into his throne from all the malice of the Dragon gaue vnto her the Crowne of life Also for mine owne selfe sith as I haue acquainted you and some other of chiefe note and place with all my Schoole-trauells from the time that I thus sette my selfe more earnestlie vnto them so with this kinde of Grammaticall translation in particular from my verie first entring into them and more speciallie of late with the controuersie concerning the same so that you are fulliâ— able to satisfie any as I hope and by your wisedome to compose it in peace That thâ—re may bee still a ioynt vnion in this labour which I trust will proue so profitable to all And moreouer for that you haue not refused to put-to your helping hand to the vvorke perusing and adding some of your owne experiments and haue also seene some little triall of my beginnings and by all meanes incouraged mee heerevnto Lastlie for that you haue now vouchâ—afed to grace my weake indeuours with your louing though vndeserued testimonie VVherefore my kindest Brother as you haue witnessed all this loue so let mee intreate you especially amongst others in these and all other my studies for our poore Counâ—reyschooles to help as your greater occasions shall permit to seuer all the drosse that nothing may remaine but onelie that vvhich is pure and will abide the touch That in the ende that which is approoued maie come footh as the gold vvhich hath seuen times passed the fier The Latine Commentarie of Corderius which I latelie mett withall hath much confirmed mee in the course though the English translation ioyned to it doth verie oft translate the exposition not the text Notwithstanding Feare least I should deceiue my selfe or any other or least I should faint in the way leauing the work vndone together with the good experience of your tender loue so carefullie supporting me and so brotherlie censuring and directing in such mildenesse and also accepting my willingnesse makes me thus to presume The fruit I trust shall be for yours amongst others And in this hope that you will esteem of so meane a gift according to mine affection not the worke I commend it vnto your loue and to the blessing of our most wise and holy GOD whose it is remaining euer Your thankfull though vnworthiest Brother I. B. TO THE IVDIcicus Reader LEarned Reader if you perceiue the benefit of this kinde of translating help louingly to amend vvhat is amisse Future editions God willing shall supply what is wanting and bring to more perfection To the Learner 1. Bâ— carefull firsâ— to be ready in the Grounds of your Accidence and Grammar at least to haue the perfect vnderstanding of them and to bee very cunning in the examples of Nounes and Verbes also to haue very readily the Rule of construing For your better direction heerein see the questions of the Accidence and Grammar called The Posing of the Parts gathered of purpose to help thereto 2. In vsing these translations labour euer first to vnderstand fully the matter of euery sentence which you would construe by oft reading ouer the English to get it as it were without book 3 Then learne to construe the Latin according to the rule of construing vsing the book where you doubt and to the end to goe surely and speedily 4 Next to parse as you construe being helped by the Latin and English together 5. After trie to construe and parse out of the English alone looking only on it whereby you continually make Latin 6. Lastly prooue whether by oft reading-ouer the Latin out of the English first according to the order of the translation after according to the order of the Authour both Latin and matter will not most speedily bee made your owne Vnderstand the matter perfectly and the Latin will flow most easily as of the owne accord For the vse of this Book see the Grammar-schoole Chap. 8. in the manner vse and benefits of Grammaticall translations A most elegant little Book which is intituled or named Cato concerning the Precepts of common life Erasmus of Roterdame being correctour and interpretour or expounder A Preface with most short Precepts BEcause I did marke very many men to erre grieuously in the way of maners I haue thought to helpe and to consult for or to haue a regard vnto the opinions of those men especially that they might liue gloriously and might attaine to honour Now my most dear son I will teach thee by what manner or how thou maiest compose or frame the manners of thy minde Therefore â—ee that thou reade my Precepts so that thou maiest vnderstand them for to reade
good name or estimation r to a great talker s giue credit t telling euer u some newes x little heed y who vse many words or are euer talking z may not accuse or let not the drunken man accuse the wine a Condemne or accuse thy selfe b sinnest * crime c in the wine d of him that drinks excessiuely e See that thou commit f to a friend which is discreet to keep counsell g still or silent h the cure of thy body i trusty k Let not the successe l prosperity m take to heart n the vndeserued successes or prosperous successe o doth cherish or fauour p Things which may fall out q to bee looked to before or preuented r Prouide for aforehand or foresee s to beare t are wont to fall out u foresee x doth lesse hurt y to be cheared or comforted * aduerse things z Be not dismayed or discouraged a in aduerse things b Keep hope or be of courage c man hopes still in death d to be taken e chanceth f omit let slip or ouerslip g any thing h fit or profitable and coÌ„modious for thee i hath haire k that it may bee layde hould on before l with out haire m on the hinder part n it is to late to catch when it is past o things to come p to be knowne q by things past r Consider s which is past and behinde vs. t prouide for u which is comming x Ianus the double faced God of the Romanes looking both wayes * A reason y We must haue a regard or consideration z more moderate in thy diet then thou aâ—t wont ordinarily a haue better health b We must be more carefull for health then pleasure c We must yeeld d to the most or to the generall sort * shalt contemne neuer e despise f opinion or senteÌ„ce g none or no body h make no reckoning of the counsell of any i We must regard our health aboue all things k Haue chiefe regard of thy health l which is the chiefe of all things m when thou art the cause n of thine own woe or sorrow * to thee o to be regarded p Doe not care for * the humane mind or the mind of man q it seemeth to see r in sleep s This is meant of ordinary dreames not such diuine visions as are recorded in the book of God double metres u to vnderstand x this little Book written in verse y beare away z most welcome happy or pleasant a furnish or adorne with instructions b cease not or giue not ouer or be weary of learning c a picture d a man without learning is like a dead man e beare away or get much commodity f this Book * Thou thy selfe g despise h the author of this book i thou shalt be the loser k Thou maiest not feare or do not feare l whilest thou doest well m do not care for n the speeches o of slanderers p in our power to rule mens tongues q iudgement * doth talke r fault s hid asmuch as may be t brought forth u to witness x credit y or so that thou maiest saue thine owne credit z Hide or keep close a fault b fawning or flattering c is to be suspected d Take heede to fly e flattering or faire speeches f stuttering g Plainenesse of speaking truth h honest plain i the cunning k of speaking deceitfully l counterfait m idle or slothfull n eschewed o slownesse or dulness p sloth q is idle r spoyle s tired or ouertoyled t â—ased loosed or refreshed with recreation x mirth u Intermeddle or interpose and mingle with y beare out or vndergo z any though neuer so great a reproue no man b malitiously c finde fault with d speech e mock thee f by thine example or requite thee alike g state h augmeÌ„ted i Increase augment or see thou increase k those things which come vnto thee by the death of thy friends l in tables because in old time they writ in tables m least all speak of thee as of a spend-al or euill husband * Old age let it bee bountifull n abound to thee or thou hast wealth enough o bountifully or frankly and liberally p sparing as a niggard q considered viz. what is spoken r not who speaks s Thou who art a master or lord t despise not u Thou shalt not contemne at any time x the sense or opinion y if it bee profitable z if thou haue not as thou hast had before or if thy goods bee diminished * in money a that thing which God giueth b to be led or taken c portion or goods d in respect of portion or goods e retain thou or keep her f wicked g This counsell was Heathenish not Christian. h We must learne to be wise by other mens examples i facts or things k thou oughtest to follow l shun or auoide m the life of other men n a teacher to vs teaching what to do what to auoide o assayed or attempted p ability or power q take that in hand r pressed ouerloaden or vanquished s difficultie t lie down u leaue vndone x thy enterprises y without profit z is silent a keep secret conceale or dissemble b thou knowest c countenance or like of d keeping in silence their euill doings e Seueritie is to bee moderated or mitigated f the help or fauour g a hard or rigorous law h Also the best laws i ouer-ruled or mitigated by equity k Thou maiest beare or beare thou l to take in good part m by thine own fault or worthily n faulty o be thine owne iudge p and when they are read ouer q read daily more more r Poets writing in verse s do speak of t woÌ„dred at u not to be credited alwaies x at a feast or banquet y of few words z in talk or sparing in speech a a busie talker b esteemed c courteous of good behauior d anger e feare not f of thy wife being angry g she works wiâ—es or treacheries h vse well that which thou hast gotten i misspend them k to spende them wastfully l goods m doe seeke after n when they want or when all is gone o Determine with thy selfe p not to feare death q neuerthelesse or yet notwithstanding r of euils of this life s to suffer or indure t talke u a good huswife x a fault y to be vnwilling to suffer any thing z to giue no answere a Godlinesse b thy father and mother whom thou oughtest to loue dearely c grieuous inforced or not by compulsion d neither offend e dutifull a of manners b Thou whosoeuer c desirest d to passe ouer or to liue e a quiet life or a life free from care trouble e Neither to haue f to bee