8 KING ALFRED'S
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worse plague, or greater hurt to any man, than that hehave, in his society and in his presence, an enemy in thelikeness of a friend? When Wisdom had made this speech, then began he againto sing, and thus said: Whosoever desires fully to possesspower, ought to labor first that he may have power over hisown mind, and be not indecently subject to his vices; alsolet him put away from his mind unbecoming anxieties, anddesist from complaints of his misfortunes. Though he reignover all the middle-earth, from eastward to westward, fromIndia, which is the southeast end of this middle-earth, tothe island which we call Thule, which is at the northwestend of this middle-earth, where there is neither night insummer nor day in winter; though he rule even all this, hehas not the more power, if he has not power over his mind,and if he does not guard himself against the vices which wehave before spoken about. When Wisdom had sung this song, then began he againto make a speech, and said: Worthless and very false is theglory of this world ! Concerning this a certain poet formerlysung. When he contemned this present life, he said: Oglory of this world! Alas! why do foolish men call theewith false voice, glory, when thou art none ! For man morefrequently has great renown, and great glory, and greathonor, through the opinion of foolish people, than he hasthrough his deservings. But tell me now, what is moreunsuitable than this : or why men may not rather be ashamedof themselves than rejoice, when they hear that any onebelies them? Though men even rightly praise any one ofthe good, he ought not the sooner to rejoice immoderatelyat the people's words. But at this he ought to rejoice, thatthey speak truth of him. Though he rejoice at this, thatthey spread his name, it is not the sooner so extensivelyspread as he persuades himself; for they cannot spread itover all the earth, though they may in some land ; for thoughit be praised in one, yet in another it is not praised.Though he in this land be celebrated, yet is he not in an-other. Therefore is the people's esteem to be held by everyman for nothing; since it comes not to every man ac-
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