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thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.

438. Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.

439. Consult not with a coward in matters of war, nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer, of selling; nor with an envious man, of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man, touching kindness; with the slothful, for any work; nor with an hireling for a year, of finishing work; nor with an idle servant, of much business : hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.

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nor

440. But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.

441. And let the counsel of thine own heart stand; for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.

442. For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in a high tower.

443. And, above all this, pray to the Most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.

444. Let

reason go before

every enterprize, and council

before every action.

445. A wise man instructeth his people, and the fruits of his understanding fail not.

446. A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.

447. A wise man shall inherit glory among his people; and his name shall be perpetual.

448. My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.

449. For all things are not profitable for all men, neither

hath every soul pleasure in every

thing.

450. The wisdom of a learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure; and he that hath little business shall become wise. »

451. How can he get wisdom that holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours, and whose talk is of bullocks?

452. He giveth his mind to make furrows, and is diligent to give the kine fodder.

453. So every carpenter, and work-master, that laboureth night and day; and they that

cut and grave seals, and are diligent to make great variety; and give themselves to counterfeit imagery, and watch to finish a work;

454. The smith also sitteth by the anvil, and considereth the iron work, the vapour of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace; the noise of the hammer and the anvil is ever in his ears, and his eyes look still upon the pattern of the thing that he maketh; he setteth his mind to finish his work, and watcheth to polish it perfectly.

455. So doth the potter sitting

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