[6-text p 625] ¶ Now as for to spekyn of goodis of nature god wot that sumtyme we han hem in nature / as meche to oure damage as to oure prophit / [458] As for to spekyn of hele of body; certis it passith ful lyghtely / & ek it is ful oftyn enchesyn of the seknesse of oure soule / ffor god wot that the flesch is a wel greet enemy to the soule / And therfore the more that the body is hol the moore be we in peril to falle [459] ¶ Ek for to pride hym in his strenthe / of body; it is an high folye ffor certis the flesch / coueythith a-geyns the spirit And ay the moore strong that the flesch is / the soryere may the soule be [460] And ouyral this strenthe of body / & wordily hardynesse / causeth ful ofte manye a man to peril & myschaunce [461] ¶ Ek for to pryde hym of his genterye / is wol greet folye for ofte tyme the gentrye of the body / benymyth the gentrie of the soule / And ek we been alle of oon / fadyr / & of on modir / & alle we been of on mater rotyn & corupt/ bothe riche & poore / [462] Forsothe on manere genterye is for to preyse / that aparaylyth manys corage / with vertuys & moraliteis / & makith hym cristis child / [463] ffor truste weel that ovir what man that synne hath maystrye he is a verray cherl to synne
[464] ¶ Now been there general signys of gentilessis / as eschuynge of vicis / and ribaudye & seruage of synne in word [folio 415b] in werk & contenaunce [465] & vsinge vertu curtaysie & clennesse & to be liberel / that is to seyne large be mesur for thilke that passith mesur; is folye & synne / [466] A nothir is to remembre hym of bounte / that he of othere folk hath resseyued / [467] A nothir is to be buxsome to hese sogettis / wherof seith Senec/ there is no thyng moore conabele to a man of hey estat / than debonayrete & pete / [468] And therfore these flyes that men clepe beis / Whan they make here kyng; they chese on that hath no prikke wherwith he may stynge // [469]
