The Wise and Ingenious Companion, French and English; / or, A Collection of the Wit of the Illustrious Persons, Both Ancient and Modern

by Abel Boyer

129

Two young Men demanded a young Woman in Marriage of her Father; one of which was Rich, and the other Poor; the Father having given her to the last, some of his Friends ask’d him, why he did not bestow her on the rich Man? Because, says he, the rich Man has no Wit, and so may grow Poor; but the other, who is a wise and sensible Man, may easily grow Rich.

129

Deux jeunes hommes demandoient une Fille en mariage à son pere, l’un étoit riche & l’autre pauore, le pere l’ayant donnée au dernier quelques-uns de ses amis lui demanderent pourquoy il ne l’avoit pas donnée à celuy qui étoit riche; Parce que, leur dit-il, Le riche qui n’a point d’esprit, pourra devenir pauvre, mais le pauvre qui est un homme judiceux & sage pouvra facilement devenir riche.