Of Marriage and Married Folk 1. Happy are they that are happily married. 2. Happy is he that hath married a good Wife: and so is he that hath married none at all. 3. There is not a greater treasure than a good Wife; nor a greater evil than to be matched with an evil […]
Category: The sayings of the Wise by William Baldwin
Lesson 16 – Of Love, Lust, and Lechery from the Wisdom of the Sages.
Of Love, Lust, and Lechery from the Wisdom of the Sages. 1. Constant love is a principal Virtue. 2. Without love, no Virtue can be perfect. 3. There are two kinds of Love: the one Natural, and the other Heavenly. 4. The good Lover loves his Soul better than his body. 5. The evil Lover […]
Lesson 15 – Of Bringing up and Manners; of Dispositions and Instruction, from the Wisdom of the Sages.
Of Bringing up and Manners; of Dispositions and Instruction, from the Wisdom of the Sages. 1. A gentle heart, by its own accord, is given to goodness. 2. Noble wits, corrupted in the bringing up, prove more unhappy than others tat be more simple. 3. The wits which in Age will be excellent, may be […]
Lesson 14 – Of Truth, of Faith, of Error, and Lying from the Wisdom of the Sages.
Of Truth, of Faith, of Error, and Lying from the Wisdom of the Sages. 1. Truth is the guide of all goodness. 2. Faith shines in danger. 3. Honour is the fruit of Virtue and Truth; and for the Truth, a man shall be worshipped. 4. He that uses Truth hath more, and mightier, servants […]
Lesson 13 – Of the Tongue; of Fair Speech; and of Flattery from the sages of old.
Of the Tongue; of Fair Speech; and of Flattery from the sages of old. 1. Fair and Flattering Speech is an honied snare. 2. A right commendable thing, both in heaven and earth, is a true tongue. 3. There5 is not a worse thing than a deceitful and lying Tongue. 4. Fair Speech in presence, […]
Lesson 12 – Of Money and Covetousness
Of Money and Covetousness 1. An avaricious old man is like a monster. 2. He that overcomes his covetousness is more valiant than he that overcomes an enemy: and he is the mightiest conqueror that vanquishes his own will. 3. Covetise cannot be satisfied with Abundance; for the more that a man hath, the more […]
Lesson 11- Of Knowledge, Ignorance, and Error.
Of Knowledge, Ignorance, and Error. 1. Great is the hurt that hath chanced by Ignorance. 2. Ignorance is a madness of the Soul; which, while it labours to attain to Truth, is confounded in the knowledge of itself. 3. It is not possible for one man to know all things; yet should each man labour […]
Lesson 10 – Of Liberality, Patience, Use, and Diligence.
Of Liberality, Patience, Use, and Diligence. 1. He that is liberal cannot live amiss. 2. He that speaks truth cannot be ashamed of that he speaks. 3. The lowly man cannot be hated: and he that diligently attends to his business can never repent himself: but brings his works to a good conclusion. 4. He […]
Lesson 9 – Of Power, Honour, Virtue, and Strength.
Of Power, Honour, Virtue, and Strength. 1. Only Virtue attains the Everlasting Blessedness. 2. He is not to be counted strong, that cannot endure labor. 3. It is a sign of a noble and mighty courage to set little by great and mighty things. 4. Virtue is shut up from no man; but is ready […]
Lesson 8 – Of Justice, Laws, Cities, and Governors
Of Justice, Laws, Cities, and Governors 1. Except wise men be made Governors, or Governors be made wise men; Mankind shall never have quiet rest, nor virtue be able to defend herself. 2. The City is well ordered; where ambitious men desire to have no offices. 3. Cities are well governed; when the wicked be […]