University of Virginia Library

The Sentences of those seven Sages, comprehended in as many Septenaries.

Bias Prieneus.
What's Man's chief good? a Mind that right doth know.
What's his chief Ill? Man, his own greatest Foe.
Who's rich? he who's contented. Who poor? He
Who covets. A Wives best Dowr? Chastity.
What VVoman's chaste? whom Fame dares not belie.
VVho's the VVise man? who can, but doth no Ill.
The Fool? He who cannot, yet hath the VVill.

Pittacus Mitylenæus.
None knows to speak, who knows not to refrain.
'Fore many bad, one good Man's Praise retain.
He's mad who envies others happiness.
So's he who joys in other Mens distress.
The Laws thou dost impose, thy self obey.
VVhen Times are prosperous store of Friends provide:
VVhen they are bad, but in a few confide.

Cleobulus Lindius.
The more thou canst, 'less wish to do. The spite
Of Fortune oft doth on the guiltless light.
None long is happy in Impiety.
In others much, nought in thy self pass by.
The good Man's Friend is still the bad Man's Foe.
Our Fathers' merits want of their due Fame.
And oft our Childrens Portion is but shame.

Periander Corinthius.
Decent and Profitable ne'r dissent.
The happier Man's still the more Provident.
'Tis ill to wish, 'tis worse to fear Death, we
Should make a Virtue of Necessity.
He who is fear'd by many, many feares.
VVhen Fortune's kind, dread thy advanced height:
And scorn to sink yet when she shows her spight.

Solon Atheniensis.
Life then is happy, when 'tis consummate.
VVed with thy like; Disparity breeds hate.
Confer not Honours casually. A friend
Convince in private, publikely commend.
'Tis more to be, than be made Noble far.
If Fates decrees are sure, in vain We fly them;
If they are not, in vain We fear to try them.

Chilo Lacedæmonius.
Feard by Inferiors, nor by betters scorn'd
Let me not live. Oft of thy Death be warn'd,
And Health: Misfortunes, by thy own, defeat,
Or friends Advice. The good thou dost, forget,
But that which thou receiv'st, remember still.
Age that resembles Youth doth gratefull come.
Youth that resembles Age is burdensome.

Thales Milesius.
About to sin, thy self, though none else, fear.
Life dies: the glory of a good Death, ne'r.
What thou intend'st to do, forbear to tell.
To fear what thou canst not o'rcome's a Hell.
A just Reproof does good though from a Foe:
But a false Praise does harm, though from a Friend.
Nil nimium satis est bids us here end.