302 AbvANtii-mvl OF LtfAittfitfd. [fiC6R Vltl 



evils themselves, which would otherwise have blown over : 

 for it is a dangerous thing to provoke the consciences of 

 men, who, so long as they think themselves concealed, are 

 easily changed for the better ; hut if they once find them 

 selves discovered, drive out one evil with another. It was 

 therefore justly esteemed the utmost prudence in Pompcvy 

 that he directly burnt all the papers of Sertorius, unperused 

 by him sell or others. 



V. Poverty comes as a traveller, but want as an armed man.* 

 This aphorism elegantly describes how prodigals, and such 

 as take no care of their affairs, make shipwreck of their for 

 tunes. For debt, and diminution of the capital, at first 

 steals on gradually and almost imperceptibly like a traveller, 

 but soon after want invades as an armed man ; that is, with 

 a hand so strong and powerful as can no longer be resisted ; 

 for it was justly said by the ancients, that necessity is oi all 

 things the strongest. We must, therefore, prevent the 

 traveller, and guard against the armed man. 



VI. lie who instructs a scoffer, procures to himself reproach ; and he 

 who reproves a wicked man, procures to himself a atain. h 



This agrees with the precept ot our Saviour, not to throw 

 pearls before swine.* This aphorism distinguishes betwixt the 

 actions of precept and reproof, and again betwixt the persons 

 of the scorner and the wicked, and lastly, the reward is dis 

 tinguished. In the former case, precept is repaid by a loss 

 of labour, and in the latter, of reproof, it is repaid with a 

 stain also. For when any one instructs and teaches a scorner, 

 he first loses his time ; in the next place, others laugh at his 

 labour, as fruitless and misapplied; and lastly, the scorner 

 himself disdains the knowledge delivered. But there is more 

 danger in reproving a wicked man. who not only lends no ear. 

 but turns again, and either directly rails at his admonisher, 

 who has now made himself odious to him ; or, at least, afler- 

 wards traduces him to others. 



VII. A wise son rejoices his father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to 

 his mother. k 



The domestic joys and griefs of father and mother from 

 their children are here distinguished ; for a prudent and 



Prov. vi. /.I, and xxiv. 34. h Prov. ix. 7. . Matt. vii. 6. 

 ProT. x. 1. 



