The wise find relief in truth and equity, fools in laying hold of lying and conspiracy.

When one young in years once rose up, and an old man opposing, endeavoured to speak, they addressed him and said: "Shame on you! Hold your tongue! How dare you stand up to oppose such a man, whose years are such as to claim our submission?" Whereupon he replied: "Knowest thou not that Truth is much greater and older than he?"

Answer the wise in a fair, honest way when they discuss a matter with knowledge and wisdom; give ear to such, and they will become thy benefactors, for truth is a thing to be loved, desired, and received with favour; and even though our friend be a Plato, great and exalted, and renowned for his learning, the right of our judgment we claim in the matter of truth, for Truth is to us a friend dearer by far than aught.

Speak the truth without favour, and respect not old age; Truth is older, strong in years as the world.

Knowledge is slighted, unsupported by wealth; whilst wealth without knowledge hideth many a stain. The rich man, though he lieth, is justified by wealth; the poor, though speaking the truth, seek justice in vain.

To me it seems strange that men should expend such marvellous wealth and fabulous sums on the purchase of knaves to serve them as slaves, since they might easily gain, without price or pain, the hearts of the free by mere courtesy, by one pleasant act, and speech full of tact.

The wealth that's gained from vain pursuits decreaseth; whilst he who setteth his hand¹ =14, the number of lines in this section.] to save, gradually increaseth. To speak the truth be thy resolution bold.

footnotes: ¹ ["Hand"