160 THE KING'S MIRROR 



from shore to shore because of great perils: the days 

 shorten; the nights grow darker; the sea becomes rest- 

 less; the waves grow stronger and the surf is colder; 

 showers increase and storms arise; the breakers swell 

 and the shores refuse good harbors; the sailors become 

 exhausted, the lading is lost, and there is great and con- 

 stant destruction of life due to a too great venturesome- 

 ness; souls are placed in perils of judgment because of 

 recklessness and sudden death. Therefore all sensible 

 men should beware and not venture upon the sea too 

 late in the season; for there are many dangers to look 

 out for and not one alone, if a man dares too much at 

 such times. Consequently, the better plan is to sail while 

 summer is at its best; for one is not likely to meet mis- 

 fortune if there has been careful and wise forethought. 

 But it would surely pass all expectations if that were 

 to succeed which was foolishly advised and planned at 

 e beginning, though sometimes the outcome may be 

 f favorable.Q consider it a more sensible plan for a man 

 1 to remain quiet as long as much danger may be looked 

 j for, and to enjoy during the winter in proper style and 

 ( in restful leisure what he labored to win during the sum- 

 merjthan to risk in a little while through his own ob- 

 stinate contriving the loss of all the profit which he 

 strove to gain in the summer. But first of all a man 

 must have care for his own person; for he can have 

 no further profit, if it fares so ill that he himself goes 

 under. 



