¶ CAPI. XXVI.
LIke as snowe is not mete in Sommer, [unspec A] nor rayne in haruest, euen so is worship unsemely for a fole. Lyke as the byrde and the swalowe take theyr flyght and fle here & there, so the curse that is geuen in vayne / shal not lyght vpon a man. * 1.1 Unto the hors belongeth a whyppe, to the Asse a brydle / & a rodde to the foles back. Geue not the fole an answere after his folyshnesse, least thou become lyke vnto him: but make the fole an answere to his folishnesse, lest he be wyse in his owne conceate. He is lame of his fete, yea droncken is he in vanite, that commyt∣teth any thynge to a foole. Lyke as it is an unsemely thynge to haue legges and yet to [unspec B] halte, euē so is a parable in the foles mouth He yt setteth a ••oole in hye dignite, that is e∣uen as if a man dyd cast a precious stone v∣pon the galous. A parable in a foles mouth is lyke a thorne that prycketh a dronken mā in the hande. A man of experience discerneth all thynges wel: but who so hyreth a foole / hyreth suche one as wyll take no hede.
* 1.2 Lyke as the dogge turneth agayne to his vomyte, euen so a foole begynneth his fo∣lyshnesse agayne a fresshe. If thou seest a man that is wyse in his owne conceyt, there is more hope in a foole then in hym.
‡ 1.3 The slouthfull sayeth: there is a leo∣parde in the way, and a lyon in the myddest [unspec C] of the stretes. Lyke as the dore turneth a∣boute vpon the thresholde, euen so doth the slouthfull welter hym selfe in his bed.
* 1.4 The slouthfull body thrusteth his hande into his bosome, and it greueth hym to put it agayne to his mouth. The s••ogarde thyn¦keth him selfe wiser then ☞ seuen men that syt and teache. Who so goeth by and med∣leth with other mens stryfe, he is lyke one y• taketh a dogge by the eares. Lyke as one shoteth deadly arowes and dartes out of a preuy place, euen so doth a dissembler with his neyghbour. And then sayeth he? (whan thou arte taken) I dyd it but in sport. Where no wod is, there the fyre goeth out: Euen so where the backebiter is taken away, there y• stryfe ceaseth. As * 1.5 coles kyndle heate, and wod the fyre: euen so doth a brawlyng felow stere vp variaunce. A sclaunderers wordes [unspec D] are lyke flatery, but they pearse the inwarde partes of the body. Uenymous lyppes and a wycked hert, are lyke a potsherde couered with syluer drosse. An enemy shal be knowē by his talkynge, and in the meane season he ymagineth myschefe: but when he speaketh fayre, beleue hym not, for there are seuen ab hominacions in his herte. Who so kepeth euyl wyl, secretely to do hurte, his malyce shalbe shewed before the whole congregaci on. * 1.6 Who so dyggeth vp a pyt, shal fal ther in: and he that weltreth a stone, shal stomble vpon it him selfe. A dyssemblynge tong ha∣teth one that rebuketh him, and a flateryng mouth worketh myschefe.