142          OF WISDOM FOR A MANS SELF.

main of it. Like a house that hath convenient stairs
and entries, but never a fair room. Therefore, you
shall see them find out pretty losses in the conclusion,
but are no ways able to examine or debate matters.
And yet commonly they take advantage of their
inability, and would be thought wits of direction.
Some build rather upon the abusing of others, and,
as we now say, putting tricks upon them, than upon
soundness of their own proceedings. But Solomon
saith: Prudeiis advertit ad gressus suos: stultus
diver tit ad dolos.
 

XXIII.
OF WISDOM FOR A MAN'S SELF.

An ant is a wise creature for itself; but it is a shrewd
thing in an orchard or garden. And certainly men
that are great lovers of themselves waste the public.
Divide with reason between self-love and society;
and be so true to thyself, as thou be not false to
others, especially to thy king and country.    It is a