53 Of the father and his sonnes.
A Husbandeman had many yong men to hys sonnes, which were alwayes at variaunce, whom he diligently endeuored to vnite in loue togither, and bycause he would playnly open to them the inconueniences of their discorde, hee brought a bundle of smal stickes, which he com∣maunded them to bynde with a little corde, and then to breake it in péeces: they béeing but yong and weake, dyd their good will to breake it, but coulde not preuayle: Then their father loosed it, and gaue euery of them a little rodde therof, which euery one according to his strength dyd easily breake: and foorthwith he sayde to them: Sonnes, if yée would agree, and sticke thus one to an other, no man were able to vanquish you: but if yée be eyger to hurte and pursue one an other with mortall hatred, yée shall soone bée a pray for your enimie.
MOR. By concorde smal things encrease. By discorde great things waste and consume.