Palladis tamia Wits treasury being the second part of Wits common wealth. By Francis Meres Maister of Artes of both vniuersities.

A wise man.

AS the wisest Grammarian may bee found a foole in blacke smiths worke, and as the skilfullest Pylot may be found vnexpert in the Arte of Medicine: so hee that is wise in those thinges that apper∣tayne vnto GOD, may bee a foole in those thinges, that concerne the world. Origenes libr. 10. in Epist. ad Rom. cap. 16.

As sweete odours by their fragrancie do sweeten al the places neare vnto them: so a wise man dooth make all them the better that conuerse with him. Philo lib. de somniis.

As the Mulberie tree doth first bring foorth fruit, and then Bloslomes: so a wiseman brings forth works before words Peraldus in summa virtutum.

Phidias could not onely make Images of Yuorie, but also of Brasle, of Marble, or if thou haddest brought vnto him anie baser matter, hee woulde haue made the best of it that could bee made: so a wise man, if it may bee, will shewe his vertue in riches, if not in riches, in pouertie, if he may hee will shewe it in his Countrey, if

not in his Countrey, in banishment, whe∣ther hee bee captaine or souldier, sound or sicke, or in what estate soeuer hee bee in, hee will behaue himselfe commendablie in it. Seneca. Epist. 86.

As an Adamant cannot be broken: so the minde of a wise man can not be daun∣ted nor enfeebled▪ Idem, lib. 2▪ de tran∣quillitate.

As we see beautifull pictures, when the Gate of the Temple is open: so wee see excellent representations of vertue, when a wise man openeth his mouth. Socrates a∣pud Stobaeum, ser. de virtute.

As they that saile with successefull winds, haue instruments readie, whereby they may arme thēselues against a storme: so they that are wise in prosperitie, wil pre∣pare themselues to beare aduersitie. Idem apud Stobaeum, ser. 1. de prudentia.

As Pylots obserue the winds, least they be crossed of them: so a wise man doth ob∣serue the affections of his mind, least he be ouerwhelmed of them. Aristonymus apud Stobaeum, ser. 1. de prudentia.

As true loue towardes a woman doth not desire a witnesse, but hath inough, if it secretlie and alone enioy her: so a wise man is content with the testimonie of his

owne conscience Plutarchus in Moral.

As the Planet Mercurie departeth not from the Sun, albeit it be otherwayes a va∣ging and wandring Planet: so a wise man may by no meanes wander and stray from honestie. Plin. lib. 2. cap. 17.

As the worlde is euery way round and sphericall: so a wise man seeketh for no∣thing without himself, but is content with himselfe▪ Idem. lib. 2. cap. 2.

As the birdes Halcyones in the midst of winter do make the sea calme, not onely for themselues, but also for others: so a wise man in the most turbulent times doth not onely preserue vnto himselfe the tranquil∣litie of mind, but also maketh others quiet and peaceable. Idem lib. 10. cap. 23.

As nature sheweth herselfe no lesse ad∣mirable in making a Gnat, thē in forming an Elephant: so a wise man both in great and little matters sheweth himselfe excel∣lent. idem lib. vndecimo, cap. 2.

As snailes go slowly, neither doe they touch any thing, nor moue thēselues any way, but first they assay it with their horns: so it is meet that a wise man be considera∣tiue and discoursiue, and by leisure and ad∣uice take matters in hand, a taste of them being first had. idem. lib. 9. cap. 32.

As certain beasts do teare & rent off those parts of their bodies, for which they know themselues endāgered, as the Beuer doth, named also of some Castor: so it is the part of a wise man sometimes to cast away his riches, that he may saue his life. Idem lib. 8. cap. 30. & lib. 36. cap. 16.

As God is the wisest and of greatest vn∣derstanding, and yet speaketh the least: so a wise man will speake nothing but that which is necessary. Erasmus in similibus.

The ancient Physiologers saide that the Sunne was fed with salte water, and the Moone with fresh: so wise men seeke for bitter thinges, so they bee ro fit able; but fooles followe those thinges that are plea∣sant and delectable. ibidem.

As vnwise men doe not foresee a tem∣pest, but too late, whē they receiue harme by it; but contrarily wise husbandmen do foresee and take heed: so the common sort of vnprouident men do learne by woefull experience; but a wise man doth auoide the euill foreseene. As Democritus admo∣nished his brother, reaping his corne in a verie hot gleame, that hee shoulde let the rest of his corne stande, and carry that in∣to his barne hee had cut downe, because on a suddaine hee perceiued that it would

raine exceeding aboundantly. ibidem.

As the stars go a contrary course vnto the world: so a wise man goeth against the opinion of all. Seneca.

As neither the world increaseth, nor the Sun, nor the moone, nor the sea: so all wise men be alike. Seneca.

As haile maketh a great noise vpon a ti∣led house, but doth it no harme: so the in∣sultinges of Fortune cannot hurt a wise man. Seneca.

As a good workeman, in not onely a workeman in one matter alone: so a wise man doth carry himselfe well in either for∣tune. Seneca.

As a dwarfe is a dwarfe, although set on the top of a mountaine, but a Colossus is loftie, albeit placed in a valley: so a wise man is great in what fortune soeuer, but a foole is base in the height of prosperitie. Seneca.

As a good workeman maketh a picture of any matter: so a wise man well guideth himselfe in any fortune. Sen.

As lightning forth with killeth any crea∣ture besides man: so the stormes of fortune forthwith ouerthroweth vnlearned & bru∣tish people, but stirreth not a wise man.

The leaues of the shrub Rhododendros

is poyson vnto cattell, goates and sheepe, but to man they are a remedie against the venim of serpents: so that which bringeth destruction vnto fooles, as aduersity or e∣rudition, that a wise man turneth to his good and welfare. Plin. lib. 16. cap. 21.