Page:Poeticedda00belluoft.djvu/68

 When among the wise he marks it not Though hatred of him they speak.

The foolish man for friends all those Who laugh at him will hold; But the truth when he comes to the council he learns, That few in his favor will speak.

An ignorant man thinks that all he knows, When he sits by himself in a corner; But never what answer to make he knows, When others with questions come.

A witless man, when he meets with men, Had best in silence abide; For no one shall find that nothing he knows, If his mouth is not open too much. (But a man knows not, if nothing he knows, When his mouth has been open too much.)

Wise shall he seem who well can question, And also answer well; Nought is concealed that men may say Among the sons of men.

Often he speaks who never is still With words that win no faith;