WALTER OF HENLEY 5 



Why? I will tell you. Because they live without rule 

 and forethought and spend and waste more than their 

 lands are worth yearly, and when they have wasted their 

 goods can only live from hand to mouth and are in 

 want, and can make no bargain that shall be for their 

 good. The English proverb says, ' He that stretches 

 farther than his whittle will reach, in the straw his feet 

 he must stretch.' Dear son, be prudent in your doings 

 and be on your guard against the world, which is so wicked 

 and deceitful. 



Have nothing from anyone wrongfully, nor seek occa- 

 sion towards anyone to have his goods, for it is said in the 

 English proverb, ' One year or two, wrong will on hand go, 

 and ever at an end, wrong will wend.' If anyone comes into 

 your court, let him be amerced by his peers ; if your con- 

 science tells you that they have amerced him too highly do 

 you lessen it, so that you be not reproved here or before 

 God. Acquaint yourself with true men and have the love of 

 your neighbours, for it is said in the French proverb, ' Who 

 has a good neighbour has a good morrow.' Keep your 

 mouth prudently, that you be not justly reproved. 



HOW A MAN OUGHT TO SPEND THE WEALTH THAT GOD HAS 

 GIVEN HIM. 



The wealth that God lends you keep and spend pru- 

 dently. In outlays and expenses you must know four things. 

 The one is, when you ought to give, how, to whom, and how 

 much. The first is, that you give before you are obliged 

 to, for how much more shall two shillings be worth before- 

 hand than ten when one is forced to give. The second is, 

 if you must give or spend, do it with good will, and it shall 

 be reckoned double to you, and if you give grudgingly you 

 shall lose as much as you put out. The third is, give to 

 him who can help and hurt you. The fourth is, how 

 much you ought to give, neither more nor less than accord- 

 ing to the person, and according as the business is small or 



