Page:Disciplina Clericalis (English translation) from the fifteenth century Worcester Cathedral Manuscript F. 172.djvu/24

   to doute. So bi a comune counsail they goyng to hem, al the cryme and blame that to theym was put, he pardond on covenaunt that they shulden shewe the causes of the cryme and blame to hem put. And they forsoth bi comune assent told hym the trowth of the thyng and of al wern assoiled. The denzyn whiche had decreed to die for his friende led hym in to his house [and] of al the worship to hym bifore don saide: 'If thow wilt rest quietely and dwel with me, al thinges as it bihovith shuln be to vs comune. If forsoth thow wilt go ageyn, al thynges whiche that I have and be myn, evenly we shuln departe.' Than he softly and swetely thanked hym of his yudenes, submytted hym to that he hym offred in particioun received, and so went hom ageyn in to his cuntrey ” Thiese thinges reherced and told, saide the sone to the fader: "Vnneth may any man fynde suche a friend." Another philosopher said about untried friends: "Provide thyself once with enemies and a thousand times with friends, for thy friend may perhaps become an enemy sometime, and it will thus be easier to bear thy loss." Another philosopher also: "Avoid seeking counsel of any one until he has proved faithful to thee." Another philosopher again: "Give thy friend as much good advice as thou canst, even though he will not believe thee; for it is just that thou give him good advice, although the silly man may not follow it." Another: "Do not reveal thy counsel to every man; for it is better to seek counsel of him who retains it in his heart." Suche a phil[os]opher saith: "Thyn hid and secrete counsail as is in thi prison shit, forsoth opened and shewed, holdith the as bounden in his prisoun." Another: "Never associate with enemies when thou canst find other companions; for they will notice when thou doest evil, but fail to see the good things thou doest."

A certain poet said: "It is one of the serious misfortunes of this world that a free man must sometimes accept the help of his enemy. A man once inquired of a certain Arab: 'What is the worst misfortune that can happen to thee in this world?' The Arab: 'When necessity compels me to ask my enemy to give me what I wish'." Another: "Do not associate with a lecher for his society is a dis- grace to thee." Another: "Do not exult in the praise of a lecher, for his praise is blame and his blame praise for thee." As a certain