more grotesque and incorrigible character than the fool: "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him." The contempt of the proverbialists for the class of persons here described was quite as strong as that of Dr. Samuel Johnson. When some one hoped that the good doctor might meet in heaven a certain person whose conduct had aroused his ire, he retorted with some warmth, "Madam, I am not fond of meeting fools anywhere." _2. The Idler._ How these writers love to castigate laziness! They toss the sluggard on all manner of sharp-pointed epigrams. "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." "The way of a slothful man is as a hedge of thorns,"--he walks as slowly and painfully as if avoiding thorns on either hand. "As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him." "The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting." "The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold, therefore he shall beg in harvest and have nothing." "Drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." "He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth vain persons"--those who teach him that there is any other way to success than honest industry,--"is void of understanding." "The slothful man says, There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets." "As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed." "The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth." Too lazy to eat! This is the very acme of indolence. _3. The Babbler._ These wise men recommend, in pithy terms, the judicious control of the tongue. They commend the value of silence. "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." "The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention before it be meddled with." "It is an honor to a man to cease from strife, but every fool will be meddling." "Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is accounted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." This is the same idea which we find, in more elaborate form, in Shakespeare: "There are a sort of men, whose visages Do cream and mantle like a standing pond; And do a wilful stillness entertain, With purpose to be drest in an opinion Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit; As who should say, 'I am Sir Oracle, And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!' Oh, my Antonio, I do know of these, That therefore only _are reputed wise For saying nothing_: Who, I am very sure, If they should speak, would almost damn these ears, Which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools."