Of entencioun fynable of a kyng. Cam. 8m.
tHe bigynnyng of wisdoom and vndirstondyng is forto haue good renowne, bi the whiche remes and lordshipes are conquerid and getene. And if thou seke to conquere remes or lordshipes, and thou haue no good renowne, thou shalt fynde that the ende is and shalle be but envye. And envie is neuyr without lesyngis, the which is roote and mater of alle vicis. Envye engendrith yville spekyng, and of yville speche cometh hatrede: Hatrede engendrith vylenye, vylenye engendrith rankoure: Rankoure engendrith contrariete: Contrariete engendrith vnrightwisnes, vnrightwisnes engendrith batayle: Batayle yevith vp alle lawes and distroyeth citees, and is contrary to kynde and distroyeþ mannys body. And therfore, dere sone, bithynke the and [folio 7a] sett thi desire as thou maist haue good renowne, for of gret desire that thou shalt haue to haue good renowne, thou shalt drawe to the the trouthe of alle thing. And wite welle that trouthe is roote of alle thingis that owen to be bilouyd, and trouthe is matere of alle goodnes, for it is contrary to lesyngis, the which is roote and mater of all vicis. And vndirstonde that trouthe engendrith desire; desire engendrith Iustice. Iustice engendrith good feith. Good feith engendrith largesse; largesse engendrith famulyarite, that is homelynes. ffamulyarite engendrith frendshipe. ffrendshipe engendrith counselle and helpe, and bi these thingis rehersid was alle the world ordeynyd and the lawes made, and they are accordyng to reson and to kynde; than semeth it welle that desire to haue good renowne, is long lastyng lyf and worshipfulle.