"Rogue that I am," he whispers to himself,
"I lie, I cheat--do anything for pelf,
But who read more

"Rogue that I am," he whispers to himself,
"I lie, I cheat--do anything for pelf,
But who on earth can say I am not pious?"

Alas how difficult is it to preserve a high reputation!

Alas how difficult is it to preserve a high reputation!

Base envy withers at another's joy,
And hates that excellence it cannot reach.

Base envy withers at another's joy,
And hates that excellence it cannot reach.

The soft speeches of the wicked are full of deceit.

The soft speeches of the wicked are full of deceit.

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven
pillars.

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven
pillars.

He who tries to protect himself from deception is often cheated,
even when most on his guard.

He who tries to protect himself from deception is often cheated,
even when most on his guard.

From his silence a man's consent is inferred.

From his silence a man's consent is inferred.

Neither do men put new wine into old bottles.

Neither do men put new wine into old bottles.

Relaxation should at times be given to the mind, the better to
fit it for toil when resumed.

Relaxation should at times be given to the mind, the better to
fit it for toil when resumed.