¶ The comparison betwene
the twoo thynges.
Hat can be more descritlie doen, then the Ante to be
so prouident and politike: as that all daunger of life,
& necessitie is excluded, the stormie times of Winter
ceaseth of might, & honger battereth not his walles, hauyng
Prouidence. soche plentie of foode, for vnlooked bitter stormes and seasons,
happeneth in life, whiche when thei happen, neither wisedō
nor pollicie, is not able to kepe backe. Wisedome therefore,
it is so to stande, that these thynges hurte not, the miserable
ende of the Greshopper sheweth vnto vs, whiche maie be an
example to all menne, of what degree, so euer thei bee, to flie
slothe and idelnesse, to be wise and discrite.
¶ Of contraries.
Diligence.
S diligence, prouidence, and discrete life is a singu-
lare gift, whiche increaseth all vertues, a pillar, staie
and a foundacion of all artes and science, of common
wealthes, and kyngdomes. So contrarily sloth and sluggish-
nesse, in all states and causes, defaseth, destroyeth, and pul-
leth doune all vertue, all science and godlines. For, by it, the
mightie kyngdome of the Lidiās, was destroied, as it semeth
Idelnes. no small vice, when the Lawes of Draco, dooe punishe with
death idelnesse.
¶ The ende.
The Ante.
