I'll tell the names and sayings and the places of their birth,
Of the seven great ancient sages so read more

I'll tell the names and sayings and the places of their birth,
Of the seven great ancient sages so renowned on Grecian earth,
The Lindian Cleobulus said, "The mean was still the best";
The Spartan Chilo said, "Know thyself," a heaven-born phrase
confessed.
Corinthian Periander taught "Our anger to command,"
"Too much of nothing," Pittacus, from Mitylene's strand;
Athenian Solon this advised, "Look to the end of life,"
And Bias from Priene showed, "Bad men are the most rife";
Milesian Thales uregd that "None should e'er a surety be";
Few were there words, but if you look, you'll much in little see.

Accursed poison lies hid beneath sweet honey.

Accursed poison lies hid beneath sweet honey.

One ungrateful man injures all who need assistance.

One ungrateful man injures all who need assistance.

Well does he sleep who knows not that his sleep has been broken.

Well does he sleep who knows not that his sleep has been broken.

When you are an Anvill, hold you still; when you are a hammer,
strike your fill.

When you are an Anvill, hold you still; when you are a hammer,
strike your fill.

The blind eate many a flie.

The blind eate many a flie.

Presents of love fear not to be ill taken of strangers.

Presents of love fear not to be ill taken of strangers.

The mob will now and then see things in a right light.

The mob will now and then see things in a right light.

This formal fool, your man, speaks naught but proverbs,
And speak men what they can to him he'll answer
read more

This formal fool, your man, speaks naught but proverbs,
And speak men what they can to him he'll answer
With some rhyme, rotten sentence, or old saying,
Such spokes as ye ancient of ye parish use.