1. Catonis disticha de moribus, 2. Dicta insignia septem sapientum Græciæ, 3. Mimi publiani, sive, Senecæ proverbia, Anglo-Latina Cato item grammaticè interpretatus, Latinis & vernaculis vocibus, pari ordine, sed diversis lineis alternatis, quò sc. Ætatula puerilis præcepta vitæ communis ita legant ut intelligant / a Carolo Hoolo ... = 1. Cato's distichs concerning manners, 2. Excellent sayings of the seven wise men of Greece, 3. Publius's stage-verses, or, Seneca's proverbs in Latine and English : likewise Cato construed grammatically, with one row Latine and the other English, whereby little children may understandingly learn the rules of common behaviour / by Charles Hoole ...

The first Book of Cato's Distichs con∣cerning Manners.

[ 1] IF God, as Poets say, a Spirit be, Let him with upright mind be serv'd by thee. [ 2] Watch always more, and be not given to sloth, For dayly rest affords to vices growth. [ 3] Think it a vertue chief, to speak in season; He's next to God, that can hold's tongue with reason: [ 4] Scorn to thy self by thwarting cross to be. Who falls out with himself, with none can 'gree. [ 5] If thou into the guise of men dost dive; Whilst they blame others, none without fault live. [ 6] What thou hold'st hurtful leave, though dear to thee; Safety sometimes to wealth preferr'd must be. [ 7] As things require, be either stern or kind: For wise men without blame oft change their mind, [ 8] Believe not rashly when thy Wife complains Of servants: Whom thou lov'st she oft disdains. [ 9] When you advise one, though he do not heed; Yet if you love him, in your way proceed. [ 10] To strive in words with men of words, despise; All men can speak, but few are truly wise. [ 11] Love others well, but love your self still most: Be good to good men, but not to thy cost. [ 12] Shun rumours, lest thou be'st as th' Author nam'd; Silence hurts none, but some for words are blam'd. [ 13] Do not thou promise, what is promis'd thee: Faith is but rare, because words are so free. [ 14] When any thee commend, past judgment just, Touching thy self, and do not others trust. [ 15] Others good turns to thee be sure to tell: But nothing say, when thou thy self dost well. [ 16]

16 Whilst, now grown old, mens words and deeds you scan, Think what you did your self, being a young man. [ 17] If one do whisper softly do not care: They think all said of them that guilty are. [ 18] When thou dost thrive, think things may fall amiss: The end not always like beginning is. [ 19] Sith God a frail uncertain Life doth give thee, Hope not for dead-mens shooes that may out-live thee. [ 20] When a small gift is given by a poor Friend, Accept it well and highly it commend. [ 21] Sith infant bare by nature born thou art, The weight of poverty take in good part. [ 22] Fear not that end of life which nature gives; He that fears death, loseth even that he lives. [ 23] If never a friend doth answer to thy merit. Do not blame God therefore, but calm thy spirit. [ 24] That want thou mayst not, save what thou hast got: And that thou mayst save, think thou hast it not. [ 25] Promise not twice a thing within thy might, Lest, whilst thou wouldst seem kind, thou dost prove light. [ 26] When one's a friend in words, but not in heart. Do thou the like; th••s Art is mock'd by Art. [ 27] Think not too well of men for fair words making: The pipe sounds sweetly whilst the bird is taking. [ 28] If thou hast sons, and hast not means to give; Then bring them up to Trades, that they may live. [ 29] What cheap is, dear; what dear is, cheap esteem: So shalt thou neither base, nor griping seem. [ 30] Do not thy self, what thou art wont to blame, When his fault checks him, 'tis the Teachers shame. [ 31] Ask what is just, or what seems good to th'eye; Its fond to ask what 'tis just to deny. [ 32] Do not things unknown, before known, advance: Known things on judgment rest, unknown on chance. [ 33] Sith all our Life in dangers doth remain, Do thou that labour'st, count each day for gain. [ 34] Yield to thy Friend, when thou canst him out vie. For friends are won by fair compliancy. [ 35]

35 Fear not small things to give for further ends: For favour by this means uniteth friends. [ 36] Forbear a quarrel with a friend to move: Anger breeds hatred; concord maintains love. [ 37] When servants faults provoke you to be wroth, So temper, as to strike them you seem loath. [ 38] Sometimes by sufferance quell, whom thou can'st beat: Patience a vertue is exceeding great. [ 39] Keep what thou hast already got by pains; Want will increase, where labour makes no gains, [ 40] When thou dost thrive, and mak'st thy friends good chear, Be still a friend unto thy self most near.

Catonis Distichorum de moribus Liber Primus.

[ 1] SI Deus est animus, nobis ut carmina dicunt, Hic tibi praecipue sit pura mente colendus. [ 2] Plus vigila semper, nec somno deditus esto: Nam diuturna quies vitiis alimenta ministrat. [ 3] Virtutem primam esse puta compescere linguam; Proximus ille Deo, qui scit ratione tacere. [ 4] Sperne repugnando tibi tu contrarius esse: Conveniet nulli, qui secum dissidet ipse. [ 5] Si vitam inspicias hominum, si denique mores; Cum culpent alios, nemo sine crimine vivit. [ 6] Quae nocitura tenes, quamvis sint chara, reumque: Utilitas opibus praeponi tempore debet. [ 7] Constans & lenis, sicut res postulat, esto: Temporibus mores sapiens sine crimine mutat. [ 8] Nil temere Uxori de servis crede querenti: Saepe etenim mulier, quem conjux diligit, odit. [ 9] Cumque mones aliquem, nec se velit ipse moneri; Si tibi sit charus, noli desistere coeptis. [ 10] Contra verbosos noli contendere verbis: Sermo datur cunctis, animi sapientia paucis. [ 11] Dilige sic alios, ut sis tibi charus amicus: Sic bonus esto bonis, nè te mala damna sequantur, [ 12] Rumores fuge, ne incipias novus autor haberi, Nam nulli tacuisse nocet, nocet esse locutum. [ 13] Rem tibi promissam, certo promittere noli, Para sides ideò est, quia multi multa loquuntur. [ 14] Cum te quis laudat, judex tuus esse memento: Plus aliis de te, quam tu tibi, credere noli. Officium alterius multis narrare memento: Atque aliis cum tu benefeceris, ipse sileto. [ 16]

16 Multorum dum facta, senex, & dicta recenses, Fac tibi succurrant, juvenis quae feceris ipse. [ 17] Nè cures si quis tacito sermone loquatur; Cotiscius ipse sibi de se putat omnia dici. [ 18] Cum fueris foelix, quae sunt adversa caveto: Non eodem cursu respondent ultima primis. [ 19] Cum dubia & fragilis sit nobis vita tributa, In morte alterius spem tu tibi ponere noli. [ 20] Exiguum munus cum dat tibi pauper amicus, Accipito placide, plene & laudare memento. [ 21] Infantem nudum cum te natura creârit, Paupertatis onus patienter ferre memento. [ 22] Ne timeas illum, quae vitae est ultima finis: Qui mortem metuit, quod vivit, perdit id ipsum. [ 23] Si tibi pro meritis nemo respondet amicus, Incusare Deum noli, sed te ipse coerce. [ 24] Ne tibi quid desit, quaesitis utere parcè: Utque, quod est, serves; semper tibi deesse putato. [ 25] Quod praestare potes, ne bis promiseris ulli: Ne sis ventosus, dum vis urbanus haberi. [ 26] Qui simulat verbis, nec corde est fidus amicus, Tu quoque fac simile: sic ars deluditur arte. [ 27] Noli homines blandos nimium sermone probare? Fistula dulce canit, volucrem dum decipit auceps. [ 28] Si tibi sint nati, nec opes; tunc artibus illos Instrue, quo possint inopem defendere vitam. [ 29] Quod vile est, charum; quod charum, vile putato: Sic tibi nec parcus, nec avarus habeberis ulli. [ 30] Quid culpare soles, ea tu ne feceris ipse: Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipsum. [ 31] Quod justum est, petito, vel quod videatur honestum; Nam stultum petere est, quod possit jure negari. [ 32] Ignotum tibi nolito praeponere notis: Cognita judicio constant, incognita casu▪ [ 33] Cum dubia incertis versetur vita peric'lis, Pro lucro tibi pone diem, quicunque laboras▪ [ 34] Vincere cum possis, interdum cede sodali: Obsequio quoniam dulces vincuntur amici. [ 35]

35 Ne dubites cum magna petas, impendere parva: His etenim rebus adjungit Gratia charos [ 36] Litem inferre cave, cum quo tibi gratia juncta est: Ita odium generat, concordia nutrit amorem. [ 37] Servorum ob culpam cum te dolor urget in iram, Ipse tibi moderare tuis ut parcere possis. [ 38] Quem superare potes interdum vince ferendo: Maxima enim morum semper patientia virtus. [ 39] Conserva potius quae sunt jam parta labore, Cum labor in damno est, crescit mortalis egestas. [ 40] Dapsilis interdum notis, & charus amicis, Cum fueris felix, semper tibi proximus esto.

The Second Book of Cato's Distichs concerning Manners.

THE PREFACE.

IF thou perchance, would learn the ground to till, Read Virgil; but if you desire good skill, In Herbals, Macer them in verse will show, If Roman Civil Wars fain you would know, Lucan peruse, who tells you all those fights: If you delight in love and wanton sights, Run Ovid o'er. But if your mind be set, Above all worldly things Wisdom to get; Hear, and attend, that you may better note, How one may lead a life from vice remote. Then come, and (lest you go too far amiss) Learn here by reading what true wisdom is.

[ 1] HElp strangers what thou canst; for friends to gain By due deserts is better than to reign. [ 2] God's secrets, and what Heaven is, to enquire Forbear; being mortal, mortal things desire. [ 3] Lea〈…〉〈…〉ng death, for it is fond in thee, Thr••ring death, not one good day to see. [ 4] Stri••••…••••… being angry, where a doubt may be. Wrath keeps the mind that truth it cannot see. [ 5]

5 Slack not to spend, when a just cause desires: We must be somewhat free, when time requires. [ 6] Rejoyce in little, shun what is extream; The ship rides safest in a little stream. [ 7] With what thou art asham'd disclose to none: Lest many blame, what thou dislik'st alone. [ 8] Conceit not that bad men their sins do gain: For sins are sometimes hid, and sometimes plain; [ 9] The strength of little men do not despise: Whom Nature hath made weak, she makes more wise. [ 10] When thou hast not thy match, in time retreat: We see the conquer'd oft the Victor beat. [ 11] Brabble not with him, whom thou dost well know; The greatest strife doth oft from least words grow. [ 12] Seek not by lot, what God's intentions be; He knows without thee what to do with thee. [ 13] Envy for gaudy state be sure to fear; Which, if it do not hurt, is hard to bear. [ 14] Be of good comfort, though condemned wrong; Who gets by unjust doom, ne'er joys it long, [ 15] Of words in brawling make no repetition; Who rakes up discord, shews a bad condition. [ 16] Neither commend thy self, nor thy self blame; Whom glory vain doth vex, fools do the same. [ 17] Spare what you get, when one excesly spends, What hath been long a getting, quickly ends. [ 18] Play thou the fool when time needs such a guise; Folly to counterfeit becomes the wise. [ 19] Excess and Avarice be sure to fly, For to thy credit they are contrary. [ 20] Credit not always them that things relate; Small heed is given to them that often prate. [ 21] If you in drink offend, do not excuse it; The fault is not the Wines, but you abuse it. [ 22] Commit thy secret to a friend that's sure, With a good Doctor trust thy bodies cure. [ 23] To see bad men thrive, grieve not at all, Fortune smiles on them to their greater fall. [ 24]

24 Foresee to bear such things on thee may light: An evil hurteth less by good fore-sight. [ 25] In adverse fortunes let not down thy head; Keep hope; hope never leaves men, no, not dead. [ 26] Let not a thing slip that doth please thy mind: Time hath a lock before, but's bald behind. [ 27] What's past consider, what's to come foresee; In this like Janus, that looks two ways, be. [ 28] To make you stronger, sometimes eat in measure: We owe more to our health, than to our pleasure. [ 29] The peoples censure never scorn alone, Lest whilst thou slightest many, thou please none. [ 30] Have great care of thy health, which is the chief: Blame not the times, when thou work'st thine own grief. [ 31] Regard not dreams: for what men wish should be, When they're awake, they hoping in sleep see.

Catonis Distichorum de Moribus Liber secundus.

PRAEFATIO.

TElluris si forte velis cognoscere cultum, Virgilium legito: quod si mage nosse laboras Herbarum vires, Macer tibi carmine dicet: Si Romana cupis, vel civica noscere bella, Lucanum quaeras, qui Martis Praelia dicet: Si quid amare libet, vel discere amare legendo, Nasonem perito: sin autem cura tibi haec est, Ut sapiens vivas, audi, quo discere possis Per quae semotum vitiis traducitur aevum: Ergo ades, & quae sit sapientia disce legendo.

[ 1] SI potes, ignotis etiam prodesse memento: Utilius regno, meritis acquirere amicos. [ 2] Mitte arcana Dei, coelumque inquirere quid sit: Cum sis mortalis, quae sunt mortalia cura. [ 3] Linque metum lethi: nam stultum est tempore in omni, Dum mortem metuis, demittere gaudia vitae, [ 4] Iratus de re incerta contendere noli: Impedit ira animum ne possit cernere verum. [ 5]

5 Fac sumptum propere, cùm res desiderat ipsa: Dandum etenim est aliquid, cùm tempus postulat, aut res. [ 6] Quod nimium est fugito, parvo gaudere memento: Tuta mage est puppis, modico quae flumine fertur. [ 7] Quod pudeat socios prudens celare memento, Ne plures culpent id, quod tibi displicet uni. [ 8] Noli putes pravos homines peccata lucrari: Temporibus peccata latent, & tempore patent. [ 9] Corporis exigui vires contemnere noli: Consilio pollet, cui vim natura negavit. [ 10] Quem sciêris non esse parem tibi, tempore cede; Victorem à victo superari saepe videmus. [ 11] Adversus notum noli contendere verbis; Lis minimis verbis interdum maxima crescit. [ 12] Quid Deus intendat noli perquirere sorte; Quid statuat de te, sine te, deliberat ipse. [ 13] Invidiam minimo cultu vitare memento; Quae si non laedit, tamen hanc sufferre molestum, est. [ 14] Esto animo forti, cùm sis damnatus iniquè; Nemo diu gaudet, qui judice vincit iniquè. [ 15] Litis praeteritae noli maledicta referre; Post inimicitias iram meminisse malorum est. [ 16] Nec te collaudes, nec te culpaveris ipse: Hoc faciunt stulti, quos gloria vexat inanis. [ 17] Utere quaesitis modicè, cùm sumptus abundat; Labitur exiguo, quod partum est tempore longo, [ 18] Insipiens esto, cùm tempus postulat aut res: Stultitiam simulare loco prudentia summa est. [ 19] Luxuriam fugito, simul & vitare memento Crimen avaritiae: nam sunt contraria famae. [ 20] Nolito quaedam referenti credere semper. Exigua iis tribuenda fides, qui multa loquuntur. [ 21] Quod potu peccas, ignoscere tu tibi noli: Nam nullum crimen vini est, sed culpa bibentis. [ 22] Consilium arcanum tacito committe sodali, Corporis auxilium medico committe fideli. [ 23] Noli successus indignos ferre molestè: Indulget fortuna malis, ut laedere possit. [ 24]

24 Prospice qui veniunt hos casus esse ferendos: Nam levius laedit quicquid provideris ante. [ 25] Rebus in adversis animum submittere noli: Spem retine: spes una hominem nec morte relinquit. [ 26] Rem tibi quam noscis aptam dimittere noli: Fronte capillata, post est occasio calva. [ 27] Quod sequitur specta, quodque imminet ante videto: Illum imitare Deum, qui partem spectat utramque. [ 28] Fortior ut valeas, interdum parcior esto: Pauca voluptati debentur, plura saluti. [ 29] Judicium populi nunquam contempseris unus; Ne nulli placeas, dum vis contemnere multos. [ 30] Sit tibi praecipue, quod primum est, cura salutis. Tempora ne culpes, cum sis tibi causa doloris. [ 31] Somnia ne cures: nam mens humana quod optat, Cum vigilat, sperans per somnum cernit id ipsum.

The third Book of Cato's Distichs Concerning Manners.

THE PREFACE.

REader, if thou this verse away wouldst bear, These Rules of living well, be sure to hear. With learning store thy mind, cease not to learn; Without it none can life from death discern. Thou shalt get good by't: But if thou it scorn, Thou mak'st thy self, not me that writes, forlorn.

[ 1] WHen thou liv'st well, mind not what lewd folk say: It is not in your power their tongues to sway. [ 2] Being produc'd as witness, what thou can: Hide thy friends faults (yet play the honest man.) [ 3] Soothing and lisping speeches still beware: Plain truth is sound, but lies deceitful are. [ 4] Fly sloth and sluggishness, for when the mind Grows faint, though idleness, the body's pin'd. [ 5]

5 Mirth with thy labour sometimes put in ure, That better thou mayst thy labour endure. [ 6] Carp not at that which others do or say, Lest some thus scoff at thee another day. [ 7] What stock thy friends by will have left to thee, Keep and encrease, lest thou a by-word be. [ 8] If thou hast wealth good store towards thine end, Live frankly, and be free to every friend. [ 9] Good counsel from thy servant do not slight, Scorn no mans judgment, so that it be right. [ 10] If thine Estate be not as 'twas before, Yet see thou live content with present store. [ 11] For portion see thou marry not a Wife, Nor care to keep her if she fall to strife. [ 12] By others take example what t' avoid, Or do; anothers life is our best guide. [ 13] Attempt that only which thou canst perform, Lest, over-prest with th' work, thou leav't with scorn. [ 14] What thou seest badly done, do not conceal; Lest thou be thought like them, thou'lt not reveal. [ 15] Appeal to th' Judge, being over-born by might; For Laws themselves would fain be rul'd by right. [ 16] What thou deserv'st to bear, bear without grudge: And being guilty, be thy proper Judge. [ 17] Read much, and when that's read, read more again; Poets, not to be trusted, wonders feign. [ 18] Say little at a feast, lest thou be nam'd A tatler, whilst thou wouldst, be civil fam'd [ 19] Thy angry Wife's tart language do not fear; When women would deceive, they shed a tear. [ 20] Ʋse thine estate, but make no wilful waste; Who waste their own, would others spend as fast. [ 21] Resolve, of death no fear is to be had; Which though not good it self, ends all that's bad. [ 22] Thy Wife's tongue bear with, if she thrifty be: For not to bear, but brawl, is bad in thee. [ 23] Thy parents love, the one as well as th' other; To please thy Father, do not cross thy Mother.

Catonis Distichorum de Moribus Liber Tertius.

PRAEFATIO.

HOC quicunque velis carmen cognoscere, Lector, Haec praecepta feres, quae sunt gratissima vitae. Instrue praeceptis animum, nec discere cesses; Nam sine doctrina, vita est quasi mortis imago. Commoda multa feres: sin autem spreveris illud, Non me scriptorem, sed te neglexeris ipse.

[ 1] CUM recte vivas, ne cures verba malorum; Arbitrii nostri non est quid quisque loquatur. [ 2] Productus testis, (salvo tamen ante pudore,) Quantumcunque potes, celato crimen amici. [ 3] Sermones blandos blaesósque cavere memento: Simplicitas veri sana est, fraus ficta loquendi. [ 4] Segnitiem fugito, quae vitae ignavia fertur: Nam cum animus languet, consumit inertia corpus. [ 5]

5 Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis, Ut possis animo quemvis sufferre laborem. [ 6] Alterius dictum, aut factum nè carpseris unquam; Exemplo simili nè te derideat alter. [ 7] Quae tibi sors dederit, tabulis suprema notato; Augendo serva, ne sis quem fama loquatur, [ 8] Cùm tibi divitiae superant in fine senectae; Munificus facito vivas, non parcus amicis. [ 9] Utile consilium Dominus nè despice servi; Nullius sensum, si prodest, tempseris unquam. [ 10] Rebus & in censu, si non est quod fuit antè, Fac vivas contentus eo, quod tempora praebent. [ 11] Uxorem fuge nè ducas, sub nomine dotis, Nec retinere velis, si coeperit esse molesta. [ 12] Multorum disce exemplo, quae facta sequaris, Quae fugias: vita est nobis aliena magistra. [ 13] Quod potes id tentes, operis nè pondere pressus, Succumbat labor, & frustra tentata relinquas. [ 14] Quod nôsti haud rectè factum, nolito tacere; Nè videare malos imitari velle tacendo. [ 15] Judicis auxilium sub iniquâ lege rogato: Ipsae etiam leges cupiunt ut jure regantur. [ 16] Quod meritò pateris, patienter ferre memento: Cùmque reus tibi sis, teipsum judice damna. [ 17] Multa legas facito; perlectis perlege multa; Nam miranda canunt, sed non credenda, Poetae. [ 18] Inter convivas fac sis sermone modestus; Nè dicare loquax, dum vis urbanus haberi. [ 19] Conjugis iratae noli tu verba timere; Nam lachrymis struit insidias, dum foemina plorat. [ 20] Utere quaesitis, sed nè videaris abuti: Qui sua consumunt, cùm deest, aliena sequuntur. [ 21] Fac tibi proponas, Mortem non esse timendam; Quae bona si non est, finis tamen illa malorum est. [ 22] Uxoris linguam, si frugi est, ferre memento: Namque malum est nil velle pati, nec posse tacere. [ 23] Dilige non aegrâ charos pietate parentes: Nec matrem offendas, dum vis bonus esse parenti.

The Fourth Book of Cato's Distichs concern∣ing Manners.

THE PREFACE.

WHoever thou art, that fain would'st live secure, And not to hurtful vice thy mind inure, Remember that these Rules thou often read, Which in thy course of life may thee bestead.

[ 1] IF thou would'st happy be, riches despise: Which they that doat upon live beggar-wise. [ 2] Natures supplies will no time fail to thee, If thou with needful things contented be. [ 3] When through thy fault, things go not to thy mind; Say not that Fortune, which is nothing, •…•…'s blind. [ 4] Love mony well, but love't not for its sight, In which no honest man takes much delight. [ 5] Make much of one, when thou hast store of pelf: A rich m••n sick, hath Cash, but not himself. [ 6] Since thou endur'st at School to be well beaten, Endure thy Fathers words, when he doth threaten. [ 7] Look after things of profit, and eschew Those apt to errors, whence no good ensue. [ 8] Give at once asking, what you safely can; It's part of gains to help an honest man. [ 9] Search quickly what it is that thou suspectest; Things oft do harm, which thou at first neglectest. [ 10] When unto Venery thy thoughts do tend, Take heed of Gluttony the bellies friend. [ 11] When thou dost think to fear all beasts there's need, I charge thee that of man thou take great heed. [ 12] If th〈…〉〈…〉 strength of body dost surmount, Be wise 〈…〉〈…〉 en will valiant thee account. [ 13] Beg help of thy known friends in any grief; No Doct•••…•••… like a Friend, can give relief; [ 14] Why ••ies the b•••…•••… when thou hast done amiss? Safety thereinto seek great fondness is. [ 15]

15 When you a Mate or faithful friend desire, Not after's wealth, but after's life enquire. [ 16] Shun Niggard's name in using thine old store; What good doth wealth, if wealthy, thou beest poor? [ 17] If while thou liv'st thou would'st keep a good name, Detest those vicious pleasures which breed shame. [ 18] Mock not old folks, if thou hast any brain, For he that's old, grows childish once again. [ 19] Get learning: whereas means suddenly quail, Art tarries, and a man will never fail. [ 20] Observe with silence what each man doth say: Speech doth mans manners hide, and them bewray. [ 21] Practise thine Art, though thou it understand: As care by wit, so use is helpt by th' hand. [ 22] Do not much dread the time of future death; He fears it not, that knows to scorn his breath. [ 23] Learn thou of learned men, th' unlearn'd of thee: For thus must knowledge propagated be. [ 24] If thou thy health regard, drink in good measure: Many an ill disease proceeds from pleasure. [ 25] What thou hast prais'd in publick and approv'd, Do not condemn again, through lightness mov'd. [ 26] When things go well, adversity beware; Again, when things go ill, do not despair. [ 27] Cease not to learn, by care doth wisdom grow: Few men by long experience come to know. [ 28] Praise sparingly; for whom thou dost commend, One day will shew how much he is thy friend. [ 29] What thou know'st not, to learn think it no shame: To know deserveth praise, not to know merits blame. [ 30] In love and wine there is both strife and joy: Take what doth please, and shun what doth annoy. [ 31] Sullen and silent men do thou beware, Where th' River's still, the waters deepest are. [ 32] When thine Estate is not unto thy mind, See other mens, which thou mayst far worse find. [ 33] Strive not above thy strength: the shore to keep Is better than to lanch into the deep. [ 34]

34 Seek not to thrust an honest man from's right: For God will always punish wrongful spight. [ 35] When goods thou losest, do not much complain: But rather joy, if thou may'st them obtain. [ 36] The care is hard to spend our means by losses; Yet sometimes for our friends we must bear crosses. [ 37] Thy self no promise make to live long here: Death as thy shade, attends thee every where. [ 38] With Incense God appease, let Bullocks grow, Think not to please God with a bloody vow. [ 39] Yield unto fortune, and to men of might; He that did wrong▪ may come to do thee right. [ 40] Chastise thy self; if ought thou dost amiss, In healing wounds, smart by smart cured is. [ 41] Never thy friend after long time reject; Suppose he's chang'd, yet his first love respect. [ 42] That thou may'st purchase love, the kinder be, Lest name of thankles-person-light on thee. [ 43] Be not suspicious, lest thou wretched be, With such, and Cowards, Death doth best agree. [ 44] When thou hast servants bought, that thou may'st use them, Slaves call them, yet, being men, do not abuse them. [ 45] The first occasion offered, quickly take: Lest thou look after what thou didst forsake. [ 46] At sudden death of ill men be not glad: They happy die, whose life was never bad. [ 47] If poor, thou hast a Wife of blemish'd fame▪ Take heed thou dost not bear the Cuckolds name. [ 48] Having learnt much, learn more; and shun as naught, (Above all things) an ill-will to be taught. [ 49] ▪ Dost wonder why these verses are so plain? The senses briefness makes them go by twain.

Catonis distichorum de Moribus Liber Quartus.

PRAEFATIO.

SEcurum quicunque cupis traducere vitam, Nec vitiis haerere animum, quae moribus obsunt: Haec praecepta tibi semper relegenda memento, Invenies aliquid, in quo te utare magistro.

[ 1] DEspice divitias, si vis animo esse beatus; Quas qui suspiciunt, mendicant semper avari. [ 2] Commoda naturae nullo tibi tempore deerunt, Si contentus eo fueris, quod postulat usus. [ 3] Cum sis incautus, nec rem ratione gubernes: Noli Fortunam, quae non est, dicere coecam. [ 4] Dilige denarium, sed parce dilige formam, Quam nemo sanctus, nec honestus captat habere. [ 5] Cum fueris locuples, corpus curare memento: Aeger dives habet nummos, sed non habet ipsum. [ 6] Verbera cum tuleris discens aliquando magistri: Fer patris imperium, cum verbis exit in iram. [ 7] Res age quae prosunt, rursus vitare memento, In quibus error inest, nec spes est certa laboris. [ 8] Quod donare potes, gratis concede roganti: Nam recte fecisse bonis in parte lucrorum est. [ 9] Quod tibi suspectum est, confestim discute quid sit: Namque solent, primo quae sunt neglecta nocere. [ 10] Cum te detineat Veneris damnosa voluptas, Indulgere gulae noli, quae ventris amica est. [ 11] Cum tibi proponas animalia cuncta timere, Unum hominem tibi praecipio plus esse timendum. [ 12] Cum tibi praevalidae fuerint in corpore vires, Fac sapias, sic tu poteris vir fortis haberi. [ 13] Auxilium à notis petito, si forte labores: Nec quisquam melior medicus, quam sidus amicus. [ 14] Cum sis ipse nocens, moritur cur victima pro te? Stultitia est morte alterius sperare salutem. [ 15]

15 Cùm tibi vel socium, vel fidum quaeris amicum, Non tibi fortuna est hominis, sed vita petenda. [ 16] Utere quaesitis opibus, fuge nomen avari. Quid tibi divitiae prosunt, si pauper abundas? [ 17] Si famam servare cupis, dum vivis▪ honestam; Fac fugias animo, quae sunt mala gaudia vitae. [ 18] Cùm sapias animo, noli arridere senectam: Nam quicunque senex, sensus puerilis in illo est. [ 19] Disce aliquid, nam cùm subitò fortuna recedit, Ars remanet, vitám{que} hominis non deserit unquam. [ 20] Omnia perspicito tacitus, quae quisque loquatur: Sermo hominum mores, & celat, & indicat idem. [ 21] Exerce studium, quamvis perceperis artem, Ut cura ingenium, sic & manus adjuvat usum. [ 22] Multùm nè cures venturi tempora lethi: Non timet is mortem, qui soit contemnere vitam. [ 23] Disce, sed à doctis, indoctos ipse doceto; Propaganda etenim rerum doctrina bonarum est. [ 24] Hoc bibe, quod prosit, si tu vis vivere sanus: Morbi causa mali est homini quandoque voluptas. [ 25] Laudâris quodcunque palam, quodcunque probâris; Hoc vide nè rursus levitatis crimine damnes. [ 26] Tranquillis rebus, quae sunt adversa caveto; Rursus in adversis, melius sperare memento. [ 27] Discere ne cesses, curâ sapientia crescit. Rara datur longo prudentia temporis usu. [ 28] Parcè laudato; nam quem tu saepe probâris: Una dies, qualis fuerit, monstrabit, amicus. [ 29] Nè pudeat, quae nescieris, te velle doceri: Scire aliquid laus est, pudor est nil discere velle. [ 30] Cum Venere & Baccho lis est, & juncta voluptas, Quod lautum est ammo complectere, sed fuge litem. [ 31] Demissos animo, & tacitos vitare memento: Quâ flumen placida est sorsan latet altiùs unda. [ 32] Cùm tibi displiceat rerum fortuna tuarum, Alterius specta, quo sit discrimine pejor. [ 33] Quod potes id tenta; nam littus carpere remis, Tutius est multo, quàm velum tendere in altum. [ 34]

34 Contra hominem justum prave contendere noli: Semper enim Deus injustas ulciscitur iras. [ 35] Ereptis opibus noli moerere querendo: Sed gaude potius, tibi si contingat habere. [ 36] Est jactura gravis, quae sunt, amittere damnis: Sunt quaedam quae ferre decet patienter amicum. [ 37] Tempora longa tibi noli promittere vitae: Quocunque ingrederis, sequitur mors, corporis umbrae▪ [ 38] Thure Deum placa, vitulum sine crescat aratro: Ne credas placare Deum, dum caede litatur. [ 39] Cede locum laesus fortunae, cede potenti: Laedere qui potuit, prodesse aliquando valebit. [ 40] Quum quid peccaris, castiga te ipse subinde: Vulnera dum sanas, dolor est medicina doloris. [ 41] Damnaris nunquam post longum tempus amicum, Mutavit mores: sed pignora prima memento. [ 42] Gratior officiis quo sis mage, charior esto; Ne nomen subeas, quod dicitur Offici-perda. [ 43] Suspectas caveas, ne sis miser omnibus horis: Nam timidis & suspectis aptissima mors est. [ 44] Cum fueris famulos proprios mercatus in usus, Et servos dicas; homines tamen esse memento. [ 45] Quam primum capienda tibi est occasio prima, Ne rursus quaeras quae jam neglexeris ante. [ 46] Morte repentina noli gaudere malorum: Foelices obeunt, quorum sine crimine vita est. [ 47] Cum conjux tibi sit, nec res, & sama laboret; Vitandum ducas inimicum nomen amici. [ 48] Cum tibi contingat studio cognoscere multa, Fac discas multa, & vites nescire doceri. [ 49] Miraris verbis nudis me scribere versus? Hos brevitas sensus fecit conjungere binos.

Erasm. Rot. in Epist. ad Joh. Nivium.

I Think nothing ought to be disdained, be it never so mean, which pertains to Learning, much less these Verses which are of such pure Latin, and so profitable for good manners.

Erasm. Rot. in Epist. ad Joh. Nivium.

EGo nihil sastidiendum duco, quantum vis humile, quod ad bonas pertinet literas, nedum hosce versus tanta Romani sermonis munditie, tam{que} ad bonos mores conducibiles.