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who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

On Industry and Sloth.

Proverbs.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an

idle soul shall suffer hunger. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his haud in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well; I looked upon it, and received instruction.

Hast thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not: but give not thyself over to a light woman. Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, and teach her not any evil lesson against thyself. Forego not a wise and good woman: for her grace is above gold.

On Friendship.

Ecclesiasticus.

A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure. Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable. A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him. Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

From the same.

Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name. Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion

and friend is turned to an enemy? O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit? There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend: but in the time of trouble will be against him. Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself. Beware of a counseller, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee. Be in peace with many nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand. If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first, and be not hasty to credit him. For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble. And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity and strife will discover thy reproach. Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction. But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants. If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face. Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends. A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity. In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved: but in his adversity. even a friend will depart. Never trust thine

ness.

enemy for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedThough he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a lookingglass, and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away. Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath overthrown thee, he stand up in thy place; neither let him sit at thy right hand, lest he seek to take thy seat, and thou at the last remember my words, and be pricked therewith. Affect not to be made equal unto him in talk, and believe not his many words: for with much communication will he tempt thee, and smiling upon thee will get out thy secrets: but cruelly he will lay up thy words, and will not spare to do thee hurt, and to put thee in prison. Observe, and take good heed, for thou walkest in peril of thy overthrowing: when thou hearest these things, awake in thy sleep. If adversity come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first, and though he pretend to help thee, yet shall he undermine thee. He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.

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