_Better is he that is lightly esteemed and hath a servant, than he that makes a fine show and lacketh bread_ (Pr. 12^{9}). _There is that buyeth much for a little and payeth for it again sevenfold_ (E. 20^{12}). _In the city my Name, out of the city my Dress_ (C. 265). _Sixty runners may run, but they will not overtake the man who has breakfasted early_ (C. 86); _Thy friend hath a friend, and thy friend’s friend hath a friend_ (C. 258)--a canny hint on Gossip. _Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint_ (Pr. 25^{19}). _If one person tell thee thou hast ass’s ears, take no notice; Should two tell thee so, procure a saddle for thyself_ (C. 191). _If our predecessors were angels, we are human; if they were human, we are asses_ (C. 141)! As for this last observation, it may have been well enough once upon a time, but of course one would not dream of asserting it now-a-days--as regards the present generation it would be, yes, altogether inappropriate. Well, let us not dispute the matter. Ancient and modern, East and West, we can all unite to enjoy the honest fun and good counsel of Ben Sirach’s advice (E. 19^{10}) to that distracted individual the man with a secret: _Hast thou heard a word? Let it die with thee. Be of good courage, it will not burst thee!_ CHAPTER XV From Wisdom’s Treasury _WISDOM EXALTETH HER SONS, AND TAKETH HOLD ON THEM THAT LOVE HER: HE THAT LOVETH HER LOVETH LIFE. AND THEY THAT SEEK HER EARLY SHALL BE FILLED WITH GLADNESS: HE THAT HOLDETH HER FAST SHALL INHERIT GLORY_ (E. 4^{11, 12}). But Wisdom will brook nothing less than the full purport of those words--a diligent search, a genuine love, and an unrelaxing grasp--in exchange for her high rewards. And though it is better to find her late than not at all, as a rule it is true that only the life she has entered early is likely to know great happiness. Yet Wisdom makes no mystery of her treasures, nor hides them willingly. Here are some of her most precious truths. How simply told! How hard to make our very own! _As iron sharpeneth iron, So man sharpeneth man._[112] _Faithful are the wounds of a friend._[113] Who is ignorant of it? As Bacon says in his essay on Friendship, “There is no such flatterer as is a man’s self; and there is no such remedy against flattery as the liberty of a friend.” And yet how rarely, in actual experience, have men the grace to appreciate, or tolerate, even the kindliest of their critics. * * * * * _A soft answer turneth away wrath._[114] Have you tested the matter yet? _He whose spirit is without restraint is like a city that is broken down and hath no wall._[115] * * * * * _Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him._[116]