¶ The difference betwyxt a sole and a wyse man. Fortunate and happye is that realme which hath a wyse prynce.
CAPI. X.
DEed flyes that corrupt swete oyntment [ A] and make it to styncke, are some thynge more worth then the wysdome and ho∣nour of a foole. A wise mans here is vpon the right hande, but a fooles hert is vppon ye lest. A dotyng foole thynketh that euery man doth as folyshly as him selfe. Ye a principall spirite be gyuē the to beare rule, be not negli•••••• th•••• in thyne office: for so shal great wickednesse be put downe as it were with a medicine, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o∣ther plage is there, whiche I haue sene vnder [ B] the sunne: namely the ignoraunce that is cō∣menly among princes: in that a foole sytteth in great dignitie, and the ryche are set downe benethe: I se seruauntes ryde vpon horses, & princes going vpon their fere as it were seruā∣tes. But he that diggeth vp a pyt,* 1.1 shall fu•••• therin him selfe: and who so breaketh downe the hedge, a serpent shal byte him. Who so re∣moueth stones, shal haue trauayle withall: & he that heweth wod, shal be hurt therwith.
When an yron is blout, and the poynt not sharpened, it must be wher agayne, and yt with might: Euen so dothe wysdome folowe dili∣gence. A babler of his tonge is no be••••••t then a serpent yt st••ngeth without hyssing. The wor∣des [ C] of a wise mans mouthe, are gracio••••, but the lyppes of a foole will destroye hym selfe. The begynning of his talking is ••••••ishnesse, & the last word of his mouth is great madnesse. A foole is so full of wordes, that a man can not tel what ende he wil make: who wil thē warne him to make a conclusion? The labour of the folish is greuous vnto them, while they know not how to go in to the city.
Wo be vnto the (o thou realme and lande) [ D] whose kyng is but a chylde, and whose pryn∣ces are early at their banket••es. But well is the (o thou realme and lande) whose kynge is come of nobles, and whose princes eate in due season, for strength and not for lust. Thorowe slouthfulnesse the ••alkes fal downe, and tho∣rowe ydle handes it rayneth in at the house.