[198:A] In the "Parlament of Byrdes," written somewhere about 1550, the chough, or Cornish crow, is thus admonished, in very similar strains to the above:
"Thou Cornysshe, quod the Hauke, by thy wil
Say well, and holde thee styll."
[198:B] The following wisdom-chips may be commended to these unfortunates: "Affectation of wisdom often prevents our being wise"; "The man who knows most knows his own ignorance"; "Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much: wisdom is humble that he knows no more."
"Thou hast hearde of many a man,
Tongue breaketh bone and it selfe hath none."
—The "Parlament of Byrdes," c. 1550.
[199:B] "Raise not the credit of your wit at the expense of your judgment."
[200:A] "Beaucoup de bruit, peu de fruit," as the expressive French jingle has it.
[201:A] "By a fole in the prouerbes is pryncypally vnderstande him that in folowynge his awne councell defendeth infydelyte and the vnknowing of God for trueth and hyghe wysdome."—Matthew.