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From the same.

House and riches are the

inheritance

of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. A continual dropping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

Ecclesiasticus.

Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double. A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace. A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed. A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued. As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven: so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house. But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over an

other woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all. An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion. Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman: I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman. The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth. Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly. All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her. Better is the churlishness of a man than a courteous woman, a woman, I say, which bringeth shame and reproach. A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband. A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given unto him that feareth the Lord. As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man. Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure. Turn away thine eye from a beautiful woman, and look not upon another's beauty; for many have been deceived by the beauty of a woman; for herewith love is kindled as a fire.

Hast thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not: but give not thyself over to a light woman. Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, and teach her not any evil lesson against thyself, Forego not a wise and good woman: for her grace is above gold.

On Friendship.

Ecclesiasticus.

A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure. Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable. A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him. Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

From the same.

Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name. Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion

and friend is turned to an enemy? O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit? There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend: but in the time of trouble will be against him. Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself. Beware of a counseller, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee. Be in peace with many neverthe

less have but one counsellor of a thousand. If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first, and be not hasty to credit him. For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble. And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity and strife will discover thy reproach. Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction. But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants. If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face. Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends. A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity. In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved: but in his adversity even a friend will depart. Never trust thine

enemy for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness. Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a lookingglass, and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away. Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath overthrown thee, he stand up in thy place; neither let him sit at thy right hand, lest he seek to take thy seat, and thou at the last remember my words, and be pricked therewith. Affect not to be made equal unto him in talk, and believe not his many words: for with much communication will he tempt thee, and smiling upon thee will get out thy secrets: but cruelly he will lay up thy words, and will not spare to do thee hurt, and to put thee in prison. Observe, and take good heed, for thou walkest in peril of thy overthrowing: when thou hearest these things, awake in thy sleep. If adversity come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first, and though he pretend to help thee, yet shall he undermine thee. He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.

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