CatholicaAtt text: The attribution to Thomas ab Ievan comes through a textual tradition associated with Iolo Morganwg, who has been described as the “prime reviver (and canny reinventor) of lost traditions in Wales” (Constantine, 2003, p. 187). As a result, scholars generally approach material transmitted solely through Iolo with caution, since his work is known to contain a mixture of genuine and reconstructed or invented material.
Constantine, M.-A. (2003) ‘Thoughts on Oral Tradition’, Oral Tradition, 18(2), pp. 187–188.
Att text for Cadoc: Whilst early scholarship (Rees, 1836) believed this saying was Cadocian, Evans (1901) argued that many of the sayings attributed to him ultimately derive from Cato’s Disticha Catonis (2nd–4th century AD), later adapted into medieval Welsh tradition and associated with “Catwg” through textual corruption. The surviving manuscript behind the 1807 printed text is in the hand of Iolo Morganwg, suggesting the collection in its present form is a late 18th-century antiquarian compilation built from older Welsh and classical material.
Evans, J.G. (1901) Report on Manuscripts in the Welsh Language. London: HMSO.
Rees, R. (1836) An Essay on the Welsh Saints. London: Longman.
1 Here is the wisdom of Catwg the Wise of Llancarvan, son of Gwynlliw son of Glywis and Tegid son of Cadell Deyrnllwg, and he is called Saint Catwg.
To the Kind Reader of Wales #
1 Dear Welshman,
2 Here for you is the Book of Catwg the Wise, who is also called Saint Catwg; it has for a long time been renowned in our country for the wisdom contained within it. Wise sayings are found in it; these were greatly esteemed in former times by the ancient poets and every other old author, and this caused its author to be given the name Catwg the Wise.
3 His pedigree is given in the old genealogical books as follows: Saint Catwg, Abbot of Llancarvan, son of Gwynlliw, lord of Gwynllwg, son of Glywis, son of Tegid, son of Cadell Deyrnllwg. Gwynllwg was one of the lordships of old Glamorgan, extending from the River Taff to the River Usk. Catwg was the eldest son, but he did not wish for the lordship; he chose instead to be a man of learning and godliness. At that time there was great corruption in religion in our island because of the deceit and false judgement of one of our own countrymen, who was called Pelagius in Latin and Morgan in Welsh. This caused some of the few who had not fallen into error to send overseas for a godly and learned man called Saint Germanus. He came to our country and preached the Gospel in its purity, and, in order to teach others the things necessary for them to do as followers of the Truth, he established good schools in many places. The chief among them were those of Caerleon upon Usk, Llancarvan, and Llantwit Major. The name of the first man whom Germanus placed over the school at Llancarvan was Saint Dyfrig. It is said that he lived at Garnllwyd, and there is still a spring there called Ffynnon Ddyfrig. Afterwards Dyfrig was made Bishop of Llandaff, and then Catwg was placed at the head of the monastery of Llancarvan by Saint Germanus. The name of the monastery was Llanfeithin, and that name still remains upon the place. It is said that Catwg lived there until he was one hundred and twenty years old, remarkable above all for his learning, wisdom, and godliness. In his monastery many of the most learned men of the age were brought up; and Bishop Dyfrig of Llandaff thought so highly of him that he took him with him everywhere, and on every matter where counsel and assistance were needed, and because of this he did not live at Garnllwyd. Catwg was one of the finest poets of his time, and such was his fame for wisdom that his counsels, sayings, proverbs, and wise maxims spread through the whole country, near and far, so that every saying, proverb, maxim, and wise word in the Welsh language came to be attributed to him, until the fame of Catwg overshadowed that of every other man. Therefore it is not entirely clear to us today whether Catwg or someone else first spoke some of the things found in this book under his name. Besides the old book of Catwg, I have included in it as much as I have seen attributed to him scattered through other old manuscripts. Many things are said in the old books about Saint Catwg; one of them is that King Arthur made him one of his twenty-four knights, for it is said of him thus:
4 Three righteous knights of Arthur’s court were the chief support of his soul: first, Saint Catwg, son of Gwynlliw the Warrior, lord of Gwynllwg in Glamorgan; second, Blias, Earl of Llychlyn; third, Padrogyl Red-Spear, Earl of Cornwall. So noble were they, and so great their knowledge and wisdom, that none of them would do anything except what was merciful and just, and they devoted themselves to defending all who suffered wrong and injustice, and every oppressed person, widow, maiden, and stranger, against violence and oppression: Blias through the Law of the World, Padrogyl through the Law of Arms, and Catwg through the Law of God and His Church.
5 Catwg was also one of the three chief counsellors of Arthur; for thus it is said of him:
6 Three wise counsellors of Arthur: first, Saint Catwg, Abbot of Llancarvan, son of Gwynlliw the Warrior; second, Arawn son of Cynfarch; third, Cynon son of Clydno Eiddin. So equal were they in nobility, understanding, and judgement that nothing but success ever came from following their counsel, nor misfortune from neglecting it.
7 And in the same old book it is written thus: Three wise poets of Arthur’s court: Saint Catwg son of Gwynlliw the Warrior, Taliesin chief of poets, and Llywarch Hen son of Elidir Lydanwyn. So equal were they in nobility that they would place nothing in their poems except what was true and wise.
8 Towards the end of Catwg’s life it happened that some of the godly intended to go to Bardsey Island, so that they might be removed from the turmoil that was at that time in our country because of the treachery and rebellion of the Saxons. They desired to have Catwg’s counsel on this matter, and he gave it to them in verse, as follows.
9 When the saints of the mountain of Brevi According to the worthy preaching of Dewi By the command of the chief prophets Were going to Bardsey Island, To escape every affliction And the long oppression of conflict: Then Cybi said, “What livelihood shall be found in the wilderness? What food shall sustain us In the midst of the salt sea?”
10 Catwg said to Dewi, As the prophet Elijah did, [1 Kings 17] “God will give counsel to you, Provision and sustenance. Endure every hardship; No benefit comes from idleness. Wisdom is stronger than mockery, Labour is stronger than wickedness, Integrity and faith and prayer Will prevail over every affliction. It is a thousand times easier for God to give Than for a needy man to ask. The book of Genesis declares, [Genesis] And proves to us, That no man has been born Without receiving nourishment from God. The better God is worshipped, The worse the devil fares from being honoured. Do not fear what shall come to you More than the blackbird in the grove; It neither sows nor is land ploughed for it, Yet none is more cheerful than it. Let us all pray to God the Protector, Lord of all lords, That Jesus with His five wounds [John 20:25–27] May lead us through every distress, And be our guide, And then no one will have need to fear.” Saint Catwg sang it.
11 I could say much more than this from the old books concerning Catwg, but I desire only to say what may truly be believed. The Papists have said things about him to which there is not the slightest degree of credibility, for, as Catwg himself says:
12 “Not every marvel is true, but every truth is a marvel.”
13 It is best for us in this world to believe that the marvellous things said about Catwg are the falsehoods of Papist monks: all monkish fables. Yet there was a time among us Welsh people, as among other nations, when all the untrue things told about him were believed. The Papists attributed many things to Catwg which never entered either his mouth or his mind; and as far as it was clear to my own understanding, I rejected those things. But there may be some matters here which cannot easily be known whether Catwg or someone else first said them; for, as I said before, everything of that kind was attributed to him. I can only leave it to the kind reader to form his own judgement and opinion about certain things, and indeed about whatever he may find set down here. It is harmful to place before either wise men or fools more than is suitable for them. It matters little to you, dear Welshman, from whose head the things found here first came, nor does it make anything either better or worse to know what they are or who spoke them, except that they are wisdom and truths. Let that be enough for you. Follow the good counsels; consider the wise instruction; keep in your memory the great truths of weight that are found in this book, and may God bless them to you, and to all the people of my country, and to everyone in the world. And if you gain benefit and improvement of life from them, give thanks to God for it. Keep the name of the man responsible for them in your memory with respect; give your second thanks to Catwg, though you are not a worshipper of saints; and finally, do not judge me unkindly if it should happen that you find here some things with which you are not entirely satisfied. I also desire that God may bless you in all things; and that with the full will of my heart.
14 Yours in every good endeavour, Thomas Ab Ievan.
15 TreBryn, New Year’s Day, 1685.
The Lord’s Prayer: that is, the Word of God in verse form #
1 Our Father almighty, truthful and gracious, Who dwells in the heavenly places and things, Holy and blessed, may your great name be sanctified To the furthest bounds of all creation where your goodness abides. May your Kingdom come upon us and your will be done, As it is in heaven, so upon earth in truth. [Matthew 6:9–10] Give us each day our daily bread; May we always place our complete trust in you. [Matthew 6:11] Grant the same forgiveness to all the children of men, As we sincerely grant it to our angry enemies. [Matthew 6:12] Be merciful to deliver us from the deceit of our sins, From what leads us astray, and from every nature of evil. [Matthew 6:13] You, glorious King, are possessor of the Kingdom, And the power, and the true glory, and all praise fitting to you. [Matthew 6:13] Be our defender, our judge, and our guide, For endless ages, forever and ever. Amen.
Here Is the Book Called The Wise Counselling Bard, by Catwg the Wise, Son of Gwynlliw, Son of Glywis, Son of Tegid, Son of Cadell Deyrnllwg, That Is, Saint Catwg, Abbot of Llanfeithin in Llancarvan in Glamorgan #
1 If you seek counsel, ask it of the wisest; If you praise, let the greatest be praised; If you seek wealth, ask it of the richest; If you seek health, ask it of the greatest physician; If you seek generosity, ask it of the most liberal; If you seek protection, ask it of the strongest; If you seek mercy, ask it of the most merciful; And if you offer greeting, offer it to God above all.
2 The Rebuke of Catwg the Wise
3 Our journey will be no farther for listening to slander. A cheerful spirit is no poorer for giving alms. The soul is no fuller for stuffing the belly. The envious and the covetous gain no favour from God. No owner of a soul knows what his end shall be. Charity is no less noble when given gladly. The miser is no better for possessing the earth. A proud man is not humble, even if he were level with the sunshine. The deceitful man is not loving, nor the mocker wise. There is no blessedness but peace, no feast but great rejoicing. Not every eloquent man is wise, nor every uncouth man contemptible. Not every sorrowful man is sad, nor every cheerful man content. Death does not look to see whose brow is fairest. No man who holds a grudge is beloved by God. [Matthew 6:15] No man without mercy in time of need is pleasing to Christ. No one who cannot master his own passions is fit for heaven. It is not wise to direct desire towards what cannot be possessed. Do not make light of anything connected with grief. Faith in what cannot otherwise be grasped is no foolishness. [Hebrews 11:1] It is not wise to sell heaven for borrowed pleasure.
4 Catwg the Wise sang it.
5 3.
6 By keeping your word, you preserve your honour. By keeping your memory, you preserve wisdom. By restraining your hand, you preserve your goods. By preserving your reputation, you will maintain peace. By guarding your time, you preserve your gift. By keeping your conscience, you preserve all that is right.
7 Catwg the Wise sang it.
8 The Truths of Catwg the Wise
9 God the Father does not grow angry at the asking of justice. God is no poorer for giving at all times. No one reaches heaven through nobility or bravery alone. The blessed are no nearer for all their splendour. The wise man does not turn from what is right because of hardship. Heaven is no more crowded for all who go there. What remains little will never become much. Sweetness cannot be known without bitterness. Health is only sweet in the experience of sickness. The gentlest spirit often holds the greatest kindness. The greatest wisdom does not come from the loudest tongue. The greatest lightness is not found in laughter. A kingdom is not gained through proud thoughts. The greatest poverty is not always the greatest want. There will be no easy excuse on the Mount of Judgement, When Conscience is seen in all its nakedness Before God, who made the heights, And Christ judging in the light of righteousness. [Romans 2:16]
10 Catwg the Wise sang it.
11 Counsels of Catwg the Wise
12 Do not be quick to swear a false oath, Nor be at odds among your neighbours, Nor walk by night without good cause, Nor speak God’s name in vain words, Nor stir up anger from the redness of your heart, [Exodus 20:7] Nor break the protection of God the Strong and His commandments, Nor give place to anger in your thoughts, Nor trust hatred or lies, Nor take cruel hold of the treasure of your word, Neither for wealth nor for the gifts of men. Do not desire from the world more than enough for you, [Proverbs 30:8–9] Nor oppose the judgement that is judged in righteousness. Do not block the way of the weak and the poor, Nor urge any man beyond what he can do, Nor be unmerciful to the guilty, Nor be a friend to proud fools, Nor delay in helping your own kinsfolk, Nor be harsh and unfriendly to the stranger and the foreigner. Do not show your face where there is envy. Do not put great trust in your enemies, Nor be unjust to any living thing in the world, Love none but those who love God and His children, Do not seek your own way where there is quarrelling, Nor desire to contend with the angry, Nor be overbearing to your friends. Do not be lazy in doing your work, Nor ungenerous to those in need, Do not speak an ugly word about the merciful, Seek no counsel except from the wise, Do no secret thing without a just cause, Do not dishonour the innocent man, Make friendship only with the lawful, Do not seek the feasts of the unworthy, Do not set your mind on carousing, Do not reveal the secrets of your companions, Bind yourself only with the upright, And seek nothing but what God may send; And whatever it may be, be content.
13 Catwg the Wise sang it.
14 Other Counsels
15 Do not trust anyone who threatens you, Nor believe anyone who flatters you. Do not seek merriment beneath a frown, Nor seek to contend with the wicked. Do not seek joy without a smile, Nor seek play with an old sick man. Do not seek benefit from idleness, Nor seek wisdom in extravagance. Do not seek gain from charity, Nor seek success from neglect, Nor seek peace from disobedience, Nor seek justice except through agreement. Do not seek thanks for nothing, Nor seek anything except what is in an empty larder. Do not seek respect for wicked deeds, Nor seek safety from wrongdoing. Do not seek love from pride, Nor dignity from servility. Do not jest with those who hate you, Nor seek praise from long quarrelling. Do not seek a good end from prolonged violence, Nor seek prosperity where there is no request for it. Do not seek contention with your better, Nor seek truth from a distant man. Do not seek to follow a message for long through a hard and variable path, Nor seek friendship in hardship with a fearful man. Seek nothing for your soul but joy from righteousness, Nor in your life anything but the pleasure of God the Father.
16 Catwg the Wise sang it.
17 Other Counsels
18 If you wish to be wise, speak little, Kindly, gently, and with discretion; Do not go to counsel unless you are called there, And before speaking, take time to listen; And when you do speak, be truthful, And do not utter an ugly word for any cause. Speak only words fitting for the time, For peace, for love, and for justice; And seek to show in all matters First the will of God, and second the will of men; Act thoughtfully according to this counsel, And among the wise you will be given honour.
19 Catwg the Wise sang it.
20 Instructional Sayings of Catwg the Wise
21 Do not be thoughtless when counsel is given to you, Keep your tongue within your teeth, but your ears open; Be gentle and mild, not like a wolf in your dealings, Do not be hasty where you can be restrained, Do not be idle when you may act at the proper time, Do not pursue sin from cradle to grave; Do not be negligent until your barn is filled; Do not sleep in May because of the frost of January; Do not force instruction or counsel upon a fool; Do not give your gifts to a miserly old anchorite; Do not go into the territory of excommunicated men; Do not be angry at seeing another’s prosperity; Do not trust or rely on foreign deceivers; Do not tell a thief where your treasure lies; [Matthew 6:21] Do not dishonour your parents or the shepherds of the altar; Do not be a drunkard, shameful and quarrelsome. Do not despair of sustenance from mountain or sea, Nor trust in anything but God in every season, No one reaches heaven through greatness and violence, Death spares neither silk nor purple. Do the will of your God, and that without delay, And the gates of blessed heaven shall be opened wide to you. — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
22 HERE IS ANOTHER BOOK OF THE SAME PROVERBS, DIFFERING IN MANY PLACES.
23 Do not tell a proud thief of your strength, Do not place great trust in foreign savages, Do not feel secure unless you fill your barn, Do not sleep in February against the frost of January, Do not be boastful where you may be passed over, Do not be a companion of revellers, drunkards, and battlers, Do not give too much ear to the tales of every region, Do not be a messenger where you could be the better man, Do not make friendship except with your equal, Do not suppose every musician to be wise, Do not be idle from your work at any season, Do not be wolfish toward your house and your household, Do not despise a humble man if you fear his counsel, Do not fear a great man if he is not steadfast, Do not dishonour your father nor the shepherd of the altar, [Exodus 20:12; Sirach 3:1–16] Do not bring food and lodging to an old miserly anchorite, Do not seek to go to heaven through wealth and violence, Do not envy anyone who surpasses you, Do not despair of provision from mountain and deep sea, Nor trust in anyone but God your Lord. [Psalm 146:3–5; Jeremiah 17:5–7] — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
24 “Ystyfan Bardd Teilo and his Hundred,” say other books.
25 TRUTHS.
26 The righteous man keeps his word on every occasion, The wise man gives counsel and does not quarrel, The prudent man does his part and is content, The just man does his duty despite threats, The brave man goes forward despite the worst of enemies, The truthful man seeks his rightful place despite persecutions, The peaceable man is loved by all people, The courteous man receives respect wherever he may be, The silent man is judged wisest among the wise, The generous man is praised in the poems of bards, The skilled man will remain alive where others are dead, The diligent man rises to the rank of princes, The learned man shall find a place among leaders, The unlearned man is feared by everyone in authority, The learned man is loved by all noble men, The inquisitive man shall find himself among scholars, The courteous man shall receive protection from native and stranger alike, The peaceful man shall be named one of the angels, [Matthew 5:9] The cheerful man is light-hearted, The devout man shall receive his portion among the heavenly host. [Wisdom 5:5; Matthew 25:34] — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
27 TRUTHS.
28 There is no true word without praise to God the Father, There is no false word without deceit and treachery within it. There is no good deed without its reward being ready, There is no evil deed without vengeance compelled upon it. [Romans 12:19] There is no pride without humiliation awaiting it, [Proverbs 16:18] There is no humility without exaltation following it. [Luke 14:11] There is no swaggering without shame in the end, There is no courteous man without honour. There is no righteous man without enduring joy, There is no unrighteous man that escapes punishment. There is no faithful man without security, There is no wealthy man who does not fall into complete poverty. There is no generous man without a blessed conscience, There is no miser without his burden of troubles. There is no diligence without a crown at its end, [2 Timothy 4:8] There is no idleness without a thousand afflictions. There is no blessedness without the grace of God upon it, There is no wicked man without misery attending him. There is no obedience without honour, [Sirach 3:8] There is no arrogance without great wrongdoing following it. There is no truth without supremacy, There is no falsehood without disgrace and sorrow. There is no justice without righteousness surrounding it, There is no wrong without further wrong following after it. There is no prudence that does not attain excellence, There is no recklessness without worsening into the worst condition. Only the devout shall see in the end Heaven repaying every good deed done in life. [Revelation 22:12] — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
29 THE HATED THINGS OF CATWG THE WISE.
30 The hated things of Catwg— Here they are plainly: The man who does not love The land that reared him; A soldier full of stubborn courage Who cannot obtain peace; A merciless judge, A babbling poet; An ignorant chief, A guide without understanding. A lawless populace, Without judgement or restraint; Supporting falsehoods, Suppressing knowledge. Conflict and quarrelling Between fellow countrymen. A lawyer greedy for money, A bard who is quarrelsome. A barren plain without trees, A nation without faith. An unfaithful messenger, A miser never satisfied. A house without an inhabitant, Land without a cultivator. A feast without grain, A host without order. Justifying wrongdoing, Obstructing truth. Dishonouring parents, [Exodus 20:12] Strife among kinsmen. A country without its host, Learning without discipline. An unknown distribution, An unreliable guide. A household without harmony, Lengthy disputes. Plots and treacheries, Falsehood in courts, Speech without judgement, Confused discourse. A man without skill, Servants without freedom. An expedition without counsel, Existence without principle. False witness in a lawsuit, [Exodus 20:16] Judging without fairness. Dishonouring wise men, Great men who are miserly. Unlearned tales, Utter confusion and disorder. Knowledge without inspiration, A partisan without fairness. Despising truthful men, A country without teachers. The practice of drunkenness, A man without conscience.
31 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
32 It is not fitting for a wise man to engage in strife and contention, Wealth does not prosper except under the owner’s eye, There is no greater affliction for a man than a foolish wife, No fortune will come to him, nor harmony with his gift, A gift given unwillingly wins no great praise, [2 Corinthians 9:7] Nothing is more hateful before the Lord than hardness in time of need, [Proverbs 21:13] No one knows where his grave shall be, [Ecclesiastes 9:12] No mortal man knows what his end shall be, [Ecclesiastes 3:22] None are more hateful to God than the ignorant and the contentious, The soul is not made fuller by filling the belly. [Ecclesiastes 6:7] No devil is worse than a man who nurtures spite, Wisdom is no gift unless it is without malice, Do not take in hand what you cannot finish, [Luke 14:28–30] Do nothing in this world without considering its end. [Sirach 18:19]
33 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
34 Do not seek counsel from a cowardly and fearful man, Do not speak what you know to a deceitful man, Do not give an answer to a double-tongued man, [Sirach 5:9] Do not pursue an errand through a hard and changeable man. Do not repeat what you have heard lest it prove false, Do not stand in the place of a babbler with a running tongue. [Proverbs 10:19] No good comes from a thing sought too greedily, No man gains prosperity who is too unstable. None thrive in this world except the diligent and courageous, No nobleman is better in the grave than a peasant. [Ecclesiastes 3:20]
35 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
36 THE STRENGTHS OF CATWG THE WISE.
37 The strength of the wren is its skill, The strength of the hawk is its long flight, The strength of the bee is its patience, The strength of the gossamer is its wings, The strength of the ant is its diligence, The strength of a child is its innocence, The strength of a maiden is her beauty and appearance, The strength of the mighty is mercy, The strength of a son is his learning and gifts, The strength of a teacher is his knowledge, The strength of the young is obedience, The strength of the old is ready counsel. The strength of the wise is reflection, The strength of a leader is foresight, The strength of the prudent is in his conduct, The strength of the nobleman is his courteous manner, The strength of the smith is in his hand, The strength of the crafty is in his silence, The strength of the brave is in his heart, The strength of the glutton is his sharp teeth, The strength of the harper is in his fingers, The strength of the lame man is his swift foot, The strength of the captain of a household is in his authority, The strength of the giant is his mighty chest, The strength of the bard is in his inspiration, The strength of the scholar is an eloquent tongue, The strength of the eloquent man is ready wit, The strength of learning is its subtlety, The strength of the scholar is his purpose, The strength of envy is its laughter, The strength of the stranger is conduct without reproach, The strength of the ruler is steady judgement, The strength of the weak is his sobriety, The strength of skill is its freedom from want, The strength of the inspired poet is meditation, The strength of him who seeks honour is restraint of the tongue, [James 1:26] The strength of the lawman is love of his country, The strength of the judge is his good sense, The strength of the devout is his goodness, The strength of the king is his justice, [Wisdom 1:1] The strength of the steadfast is in his endurance, The strength of the truthful man is his conscience, The strength of a man is his understanding, The strength of understanding is the measure of its knowledge.
38 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
39 THE STRENGTHS OF CATWG THE WISE IN ANOTHER FORM.
40 The strength of the fox is in its cunning, The strength of the dog is in its tooth, The strength of the stag is in its horn, The strength of the ram is in its head, The strength of the serpent is in its sting, The strength of the fish is in its fins, The strength of the eagle is in its talon, The strength of the bear is in its arms, The strength of the bull is in its breasts, The strength of the boar is in its fierceness, The strength of the horse is in its hoof, The strength of the gossamer is in its wings, The strength of the cat is in its claws, The strength of the abbot is in his staff, The strength of the raven is in its beak, The strength of the lark is its swiftness, The strength of the miser is in his cunning, The strength of dung is in its stench, The strength of a woman is in her tongue.
41 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
42 MORE OF THE SAME KIND.
43 The strength of the glutton is in his teeth, The strength of the harper is in his fingers, The strength of the drunkard is in his gulp, The strength of the giant is in his chest, The strength of envy is its laughter, The strength of the liar is his shamelessness, The strength of the Englishman is his cunning, The strength of the Irishman is his falsehood, The strength of the stranger is his obedience, The strength of the Welshman is his recklessness.
44 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
45 MORE STILL.
46 The strength of a child is its innocence, The strength of a son is his learning, The strength of a maiden is her beauty, The strength of the prudent is in his silence, The strength of the wise is reflection, The strength of a teacher is his instruction, The strength of the bard is his inspiration, The strength of a leader is his knowledge, The strength of learning is in its judgement, The strength of the smith is in his hand, The strength of the brave is in his heart, The strength of eloquence is beauty, The strength of skill is its freedom from want, The strength of the temperate is patience, The strength of the devout is faith and hope, [1 Corinthians 13:13] The strength of hope is to stand upon the truth, The strength of the truthful man is his conscience, The strength of conscience is to see what is just, The strength of the just man is his God. [Psalm 46:1]
47 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
48 MORE STILL.
49 The strength of the sensible man is his patience, The strength of contemplation is calmness of body and mind, The strength of a country is its knowledge, The strength of knowledge is peace, The strength of a nation is law, The strength of law is justice, The strength of the judge is his righteousness, The strength of the king is his mercy, The strength of a man is his understanding, The strength of understanding is endeavour, The strength of endeavour is to remain in the right in all things.
50 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
51 MORE STILL.
52 The strength of the lame man is in his foot, The strength of the brave man is his courage, The strength of the old is counsel, The strength of the weak is obedience, The strength of the mighty is mercy.
53 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
54 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CATWG THE WISE CALLED THE NEGATIONS OF CATWG THE WISE.
55 Nothing is true except that which cannot be otherwise, Nothing is just except that which cannot be dispensed with, Nothing is good except that which cannot be made better, Nothing is evil except that which cannot be made worse, Nothing is worst except that from which no good can come, Nothing is fitting except that which cannot be corrupted, Nothing is wrong except that which cannot be made right, Nothing is perfect except that in which no defect can be found, Nothing is defective except that from which no benefit can come, Nothing is beneficial except where there can be no opposition, There can be no opposition except against evil, There is nothing against evil except God, Nothing is God except that which cannot be made better, Nothing cannot be made better except that which is better than the whole of creation, Nothing is better than the whole of creation except love, Nothing is love except God, and nothing is God except love. [1 John 4:8]
56 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
57 ANOTHER PHILOSOPHY.
58 Nothing is easy except seeing the truth, Nothing is difficult except attaining the truth, None are wise except those who love the truth, None are knowledgeable except those who know the truth, None are brave except in speaking the truth, None are friends except those who show the truth, None are enemies except through clinging to the truth, Nothing is more wonderful than obedience to the truth, Nothing is more frequent than praising the truth, Nothing is rarer than seeking the truth, Nothing is more wonderful than hearing the truth, Nothing is the head of all things except the truth, There is no gain except grasping the truth, There is no wealth except possessing the truth, There is no good endeavour except searching for the truth, There is no peace except through upholding the truth, There is no good end except the truth, There is nothing pleasing to God except the truth. [3 John 1:4]
59 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
60 ANOTHER.
61 Nothing is near except that which cannot be reached, namely oneself. Nothing is rare except that which is seen nowhere, namely truth. Nothing is great except that which is not seen in the world because of its scarcity, namely justice. Nothing cries louder than that whose voice no one hears, namely conscience. Nothing is more rightly possessed than that which everyone acquires wrongly, namely knowledge. Nothing is sought by everyone except that for which no one truly asks, namely wisdom. Nothing is light except that which is seen in darkness within every man, namely understanding. [John 1:5] Nothing is everywhere except that which few see anywhere, namely God. [Jeremiah 23:24]
62 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
63 ANOTHER.
64 None are prudent except those who see themselves as foolish, None are truly known except those who know themselves, None are strong except those stronger than themselves, None are knowledgeable except those who know their own error, None are wise except those who understand their own foolishness, None are watchful except those who keep watch over themselves, None are cautious except those who avoid what their desire seeks, None are blind except those who do not see their own fault, None are understanding except those who understand their own failing, None are mighty except those who overcome their own weaknesses.
65 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
66 OTHERS.
67 Nothing is violence except deceit, Nothing is possession except freedom, Nothing is light except understanding, Nothing is knowledge except that which is right, Nothing is kindness except generosity, Nothing is action except from will and desire, Nothing is unrewarded that is repaid in return, Nothing is an eye except judgement, Nothing is counsel except conscience, Nothing is conscience except suffering, Nothing is suffering except for the sake of justice, Nothing is justice except God.
68 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
69 OTHERS.
70 Nothing is complaint except pain, Nothing is pain except hardship, Nothing is hardship except punishment, Nothing is punishment except suffering unwillingly, Nothing is suffering unwillingly except for evil, Nothing is evil except that for which painful and harsh suffering is endured, No suffering is harsh for anything except for that which ought to be punished.
71 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
72 OTHERS.
73 Goodness is never too long in waiting, Nothing is too precious for the sake of goodness, No suffering is harsh for the sake of goodness, Goodness does not come from necessity, Nothing is uncreated except God, There is no goodness except from God. [James 1:17]
74 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
75 OTHERS.
76 Nothing is sight except pleasure and will, Nothing is blindness except violence and unwillingness, Nothing is love except freedom and choice, Nothing is hatred except bondage and compulsion.
77 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
78 OTHERS.
79 Nothing is pleasure except ease, Nothing is ease except security, Nothing is security except knowledge, Nothing is knowledge except memory, Nothing is memory except sight, Nothing is sight except light, Nothing is light except God.
80 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
81 OTHERS.
82 Nothing is sight except perception, Nothing is perception except clarity, Nothing is clarity except brightness, Nothing is brightness except light, Nothing is light except understanding, Nothing is understanding except conscience, Nothing is conscience except the eye of God in the soul of man.
83 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
84 OTHERS.
85 Nothing is good except the devout, Nothing is devout except the faithful, Nothing is faith except belief, Nothing is belief except truth, Nothing is truth except what is manifest, Nothing is manifest except light, Nothing is light except God. Therefore nothing is good except light, nothing is devotion except light, nothing is faith except light, nothing is belief except light, nothing is truth except light, nothing is manifest except light, nothing is light except the vision of God.
86 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
87 OTHERS.
88 None are joyful except the prudent, None are prudent except the innocent, None are innocent except the loving, None are loving except the merciful, None are merciful except the conscientious, None are conscientious except the reflective, None are reflective except the thoughtful, None are thoughtful except the inspired, None are inspired except the conscientious, None are conscientious except the devout. And therefore none are joyful except the devout, and none are devout without joy.
89 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
90 ANOTHER OF THE SAME KIND.
91 None are joyful except the contented, None are contented except the thoughtful, None are thoughtful except the understanding, None are understanding except the contemplative, None are contemplative except the tranquil, None are tranquil except the conscientious, None are conscientious except the loving, None are loving except the natural, None are natural except the lovers of art, None are lovers of art except the inspired, None are inspired except the enlightened, None are enlightened except the truthful, None are truthful except the just, None are just except the devout, None are devout without joy.
92 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
93 ANOTHER.
94 There is no man without learning, There is no learning without conduct, There is no conduct without sobriety, There is no sobriety without generosity, There is no generosity without love, There is no love without peace, There is no peace without devotion, There is no devotion without justice, There is no justice without conducting oneself with humility, There is no conduct with humility except humanity, There is no humanity except by the will of God, There is no pleasure to God except through goodness, There is no goodness from God except through the supreme wisdom, There is no supreme wisdom for man except to obey God in all things, and to love Him in all things. [Ecclesiastes 12:13]
95 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
96 ANOTHER.
97 There is no wealth except knowledge, There is no knowledge except inspiration, There is no inspiration except understanding, There is no understanding except judgement, There is no judgement except patience, There is no patience except reflection, There is no reflection except a good purpose, There is no good purpose except God.
98 — Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
99 ANOTHER.
100 No rebellion reaches its proper limit, No waiting for goodness is too long, Nothing done for God is too great, No trust placed in the world is too small, No height is too great for knowledge to attain, Nothing just is done too often, Mercy is never shown too frequently, Truth is never held too firmly, Goodness is never done too eagerly, One can never be too cautious against pride, One can never guard oneself too carefully against greed, It is never too hard to die for every truth and justice, [John 15:13] It is never too late to obey God.
101 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
102 ANOTHER.
103 There is no godliness except mercy towards every living thing, There is no wisdom except renouncing worldliness, There is no happiness except prudence and health, There is no love except justice, There is no justice except what one would wish to receive from another, [Matthew 7:12] There is no truth except what is known without hearing it from another, There is no lie except what a man himself knows to be untrue, There is no folly except firmly believing and disbelieving whatever another has said, There is no joy except a guiltless conscience, No one is wise except he who knows how to sustain himself, There is no generosity except enduring every hardship for the good of others, There is no blessedness except prudence, There is no prudence except godliness, There is no godliness except mercy towards every living thing.
104 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
105 ANOTHER.
106 There is no evil except thinking oneself good, There is no folly except thinking oneself wise, There is nothing small except he who thinks himself great, There is no foolish man except he who thinks himself wise, There is no ignorant man except he who thinks he knows everything, There is no liar except the boaster, There is no thief except he who takes all his own possessions away from himself, namely the miser, There is no oppression except undeserved dishonour, There is no wound except a wounded heart, There is no prison except a guilty conscience, There is no torment except punishment for wickedness, There is no poverty except poverty of understanding, Nothing is good except what is good for another, Nothing is good except what strives to become better, There is no knowledge except doing good, No man is wise who has a foolish teacher, No man is truly a man unless he is good to his kindred.
107 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
108 ANOTHER.
109 No man is evil who makes another better, No man is foolish who makes another wiser, No man is poor who makes another richer, No man is unlearned who knows how to teach another well, No man is unhappy who makes another happy, Nothing is good unless another becomes better because of it, Goodness is never too far to reach, It is never too late to grasp goodness, No waiting for goodness is too long, Goodness is never bought at too great a price, [Matthew 13:45-46] No pain endured for goodness is too great, No man is unfortunate who attains goodness in the end, There is no suffering except for what is evil, There is no joy except a clean conscience, There is no conscience without understanding, There is no understanding without reflection, There is no reflection without prudence, There is no prudence without inspiration, There is no inspiration without genius, There is no genius without learning, There is no learning except what is loved, There is no girl except she who is courted, No woman is courted unless she is shown forth, Nothing is shown forth except through love, There is no love except the Father, [1 John 4:8] There is no Father except God, [Matthew 23:9] And God is Father only to the godly. [Wisdom 2:16]
110 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
111 ANOTHER.
112 There is no steadfastness without brothers, There is no multitude without kinsmen, There is no army without men, There is no beauty without women, There is no liveliness without a sword, There is no battle without suffering, There is no arrow without a bow, There is no fighting without tears, There is no comfort without a house, There is no lord without mercy, There is no man without conscience, There is no country without government, There is no servant without fear, There is no priest without learning, There is no bishop without teaching, There is no judge without justice, There is no king without law, There is no labour without a son, There is no lineage without daughters, There is no confidence without a brother, There is no secrecy without a sister, There is no nurture without a mother, There is no humility without a father, And there is no father except God. [Matthew 23:9] And by having God as Father one gains a mother, and brother, and sister, and son, and daughter, and brothers, and kinsmen, and every relation, and counsel, and help, and nurture. [Mark 10:29-30]
113 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
114 ANOTHER.
115 He who does not know does not see, He who does not see does not learn, He who does not learn does not listen, No man listens except the studious, No man is studious except the blessed, No man is blessed except he who has love within him, No man possesses love except the humble, No man is humble except the obedient, No man is obedient except the wise, No man is wise except the silent, No man is silent except the patient, No man is patient except the sensible, No man is sensible except the conscientious, No man is conscientious except the upright, No man is upright except the thoughtful, No man is thoughtful except the loving, No man is loving except the lover of song and poetry, No man loves song except the eloquent, No man is eloquent except the conversational, And there is no conversation except concerning God.
116 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
117 ANOTHER.
118 There is no counsel except from a father, There is no prayer without a mother, There is no nurture without a sister, There is no steadfastness without a brother, No man is powerful without brothers, No man is noble without kinsmen, There is no support without a son, There is no lineage without a daughter, There is no house without a husband, There is no bed without a wife, There is no man without a craft, There is no dwelling without neighbours, There is no nation without privilege, There is no country without government, There is no government without justice, There is no justice without peace, There is no peace without love, There is no common people without men of learning, There is no learning without education, There is no education without discipline, There is no discipline without exemplary conduct, And exemplary conduct is nothing but good kinship, There is no fire without fuel, There is no confidence except in a bow, There is no liveliness except in a sword, There is no battle except suffering, There is no killing except with tears, There is no poverty except sickness, There is no envy except love, There is no error of judgement except quarrelling, There is no failure except cowardice, There is no wisdom except silence, There is no idleness except sluggishness, There is no sin except idleness, [Sirach 33:28-29] There is no idleness except falling away, No man is needy unless he refuses to take, There is no enemy except the slanderer, There is no thief except the miser, There is no serf except the churl, There is no oppressor except the fickle man, No man is fickle except the youth, No man is a youth except through practice, There is no practice except skill, There is no skill except what is good, Nothing is good except generosity, There is no generosity except understanding, There is no understanding except nature, There is no nature except wonder, And there is no wonder except that a man does not know himself. [Delphic maxim; cf. 1 Corinthians 13:12]
119 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
120 AANOTHER.
121 Nothing is warmer than the sun, Nothing is colder than the moon, Nothing is more abundant than the sea, Nothing is swifter than the wind, Nothing is slower than the rain, Nothing is faster than light, Nothing gives pursuit like a greyhound, Nothing is lively like a woman, Nothing is joyful like a girl, Nothing is more fierce than hawks, Nothing is more faithful than a dog, Nothing is more careless than a servant, Nothing is more distrustful than the wicked, Nothing is sweeter than sin, Nothing is more bitter than penance, Nothing is harmless except sinlessness, Nothing is sinless except the holy, Nothing is holy except one ignorant of the world, [Romans 12:2] And no man is ignorant of the world except he who died before his birth.
122 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
123 ANOTHER.
124 No man is blessed except the harmless, No man is harmless except the sinless, No man is sinless except the holy, No man is holy except the ignorant of the world, [Romans 12:2] No man is ignorant except the innocent, No man is innocent except the senseless, No man is senseless except the loveless, God neither loves nor hates the innocent, And nothing is strange that God wills. [Luke 1:37]
125 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
126 ANOTHER.
127 There is no enchantment except youth, And youth lasts but a moment, There is no deceit except the world, [1 John 2:15-17] There is no wealth except health, There is no sorrow except death, There is no severity except hell, There is no joy except heaven, Nothing is beautiful except being with God, No man is with God except the loving, No man is loving except the peaceable, And no man is peaceable except a son of God. [Matthew 5:9]
128 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
129 ANOTHER.
130 Nothing is more praiseworthy than concord, There is no concord except discipline, There is no discipline except tranquillity, No man is tranquil except the merciful, No man is excellent except the gifted, No man is gifted except the joyful, No man is joyful except the humble, No man is humble except the noble, No man is noble except the compassionate, No man is compassionate except the virtuous, No man is virtuous except the wise, No wise man quarrels, And there is no freedom from quarrelling except concord.
131 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
132 ANOTHER.
133 Nothing is lighter than the wind, Nothing is more oppressive than fire, Nothing rushes more fiercely than water, Nothing is worth less than sadness, Nothing is more wondrous than joy, There is no art without delight, There is no sorrow except want, There is no abundance without sufficiency, Much is not delightful, No man is desirous except a son, No one is pampered except a daughter, No one is steadfast except a man, No man fights without spirit, There is no horseman without a spear, No man is fearful except the hateful, No man is hateful without cause, And there is no cause except without cause.
134 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
135 ANOTHER.
136 Nothing is more venomous than a cat, Nothing is fiercer than a dog, Nothing is crueller than a lion, Nothing is more cunning than an ape, Nothing is more deceitful than a fox, Nothing is more destructive than a hornet, Nothing is more ingenious than a poet, Nothing is fouler than a polecat, Nothing is more delicate than a marten, Nothing is livelier than an ant, Nothing is swifter than an otter, Nothing is gentler than a dormouse, Nothing is more desolate than a wilderness, Nothing is nobler than a stag, Nothing is more lustful than a stallion, Nothing is more meek than an ox, Nothing is more servile than a deer, Nothing is more generous than a sheep, Nothing is fairer than a lamb, Nothing is more courtly than a goat, Nothing is fairer than a peacock, Nothing is uglier than a gull, Nothing is more swollen than a buck-goat, Nothing is more nimble than the bee, Nothing is livelier than the wren, Nothing is prouder than a swan, Nothing is more credulous than a cuckoo, Nothing is more musical than a blackbird, Nothing is more amorous than a blackbird, Nothing is more arrogant than a peacock, Nothing is more companionable than a cock, Nothing is more wasteful than a hen, Nothing is more envious than a goose, Nothing is filthier than a duck, Nothing is more secretive than a snipe, Nothing is uglier than the sparrow, Nothing is more cowardly than a wild goose, Nothing is greedier than a cormorant, Nothing is more worthless than a crane, Nothing is more nourishing than an ox, Nothing is more loving than a cow, Nothing is friskier than a colt, Nothing is more perforated than a kid-goat, Nothing is cleaner than a fish, Nothing is more jealous than a trout, Nothing is sharper than a salmon, Nothing is more sluggish than an eel, Nothing is duller than a swallow, Nothing is more rapacious than a kite, Nothing is more mouse-like than an owl.
137 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
138 ANOTHER.
139 Nothing is lighter than the wind, Nothing is more violent than the wave, Nothing rushes more fiercely than water, Nothing is more oppressive than fire, Nothing is heavier than the earth, Nothing is lighter than the air, Nothing is harder than stone, Nothing is sharper than steel.
140 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
141 ANOTHER.
142 None are brave except men, None are fearful except women, None are flattering except a girl, There is no help except from a son, There is no care except from a mother, There is no protection except from a father, There is no love except from children, There is no kinship except among grandsons, There is no household except nephews, There is no lineage except descendants, There is no offspring except successors, There is no inheritance except patrimony, There is no trust except in a companion, There is no secret except between two.
143 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
144 ANOTHER.
145 He who has not seen does not know, No man is knowledgeable except he who understands, No man is well-informed except he who inquires, No man is experienced except he who knows, There is no learning without understanding, No man is wise except he who keeps counsel within his breast, No man is courageous except he who advances, No man is fearless except he who gives, No man is afraid except he who hoards, No man is patient except the wise, No man is humble except the poor man, No man is miserable except he who sins, No man is guilty except he who conceals, Nothing is false except untruthfulness, No man is wretched except he upon whom wretchedness has fallen, No man is powerful except the wise, No man is healthy except he who shall die, No tribute dishonours a lord, No word is true except what is believed from its source, There is no dishonour except misconduct, There is no wolf except the shepherd, Nothing is common except song, There is no song except singing, There is no singing except delightful song, There is no delight except what is loved, Nothing is whole except the infinite, Nothing infinite is anything but nothing, And nothing is anything but God. [Exodus 3:14]
146 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
147 ANOTHER.
148 He who has not seen does not know, He who does not know does not learn, He who does not learn does not listen, No man listens except the thoughtful, No man is thoughtful except the studious, No man is studious except the gifted, No man is gifted except the blessed, No man is blessed except the fair, No man is fair except the humble, No man is humble except the obedient, No man is obedient except the wise, No man is wise except the silent, No man is silent except the patient, No man is patient except the understanding, No man is understanding except the sensible, No man is sensible except the conscientious, No man is conscientious except the upright, No man is upright except the thoughtful, No man is thoughtful except the loving, No man is loving except the lover of song and poetry, No man loves poetry except the eloquent, No man is eloquent except the conversational, And there is no conversation except concerning God.
149 In another book thus:
150 No man is loving except the patient, No man is patient except the lover of song and poetry, No man loves poetry except the joyful, No man is joyful except the eloquent, No man is eloquent except the conversational.
151 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
152 ANOTHER.
153 There is no home except a dwelling, There is no dwelling except a house, There is no house without a husband, There is no bed without a wife, There is no household except children, There is no inheritance except a son, There is no offspring except a grandson, There is no lineage except descendants, There is no nation except successors, There is no country except a nation, There is no nation without government, There is no government without gentleness, There is no gentleness except learning, There is no learning except the arts, There are no arts without peace, There is no peace except love, There is no love except prudence, There is no prudence except understanding, There is no understanding except learning, There is no learning except a teacher, There is no teacher without dignity, There is no dignity except privilege, There is no privilege except merit, There is no merit except goodness, And there is no goodness except from God. [James 1:17]
154 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
155 ANOTHER.
156 No man is fearful except the hateful, No man is hateful without cause, No man is patient except the wise, No wise man quarrels, There is no tenderness except in a girl, No man is fond of sons except the humble, No man is humble except the poor man, No poor man is servile except the churl, No man is oppressive except the fickle, No man is fickle except the youth, No youth is wise who does not strive with the wise, No man is wise except the silent, No man is silent except the well-known, No man is well-known except he who knows himself. [Delphic maxim]
157 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
158 ANOTHER.
159 There is no blessedness except joy, There is no wisdom except silence, There is no feast except contentment, There is no abundance without sufficiency, Much is not delightful, There is no affection except for a wife, There is no joy except in a daughter, There is no inheritance except in a son, There is no love like a cow, There is no wealth except sheep, There is no fierceness except a hawk, There is no confidence except a horse, There is no pursuit except a greyhound, No man is experienced except he who has travelled, No man is well-informed except he who has seen, No man is knowledgeable except he who has practised, There is no skill except through striving, No man is understanding except he who has inquired, No man is prudent except he who has reflected, No man reflects except the blessed, No man is blessed except the conscientious, No man is conscientious except the self-knowing, And there is no self-knowledge except knowing oneself. [Delphic maxim]
160 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
161 ANOTHER.
162 No man is a man except he who strikes, No man is careful except he who kills, No man is sad except the miser, No man is joyful except the generous, No man is generous except he who receives, No man receives except the blessed, No man is blessed except the understanding, No man is understanding except the knowledgeable, No man is knowledgeable except the striving, No man is striving except the upright, No man is upright except the virtuous, No man is virtuous except the godly, No man is godly except he who loves God, No man loves God except he who loves his neighbour, [1 John 4:20-21] And no man is a neighbour except one to whom kindness may be shown. [Luke 10:29-37]
163 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
164 ANOTHER.
165 There is no lack of understanding except folly, There is no falsehood except the liar, No good deed goes unrewarded, No man is blessed who lacks prudence, There is no memory except prudent conduct, No blessed man desires excess, There is no God except divinity, There is no beauty except with God, The wolf is no good, nor its broth, Nothing too familiar is honourable, There is no thief except he who steals his own property from himself, namely the miser, There is no fellowship without a brother, No memory remains to the drunkard of his scolding, No man is too good to serve himself, Nothing looks fairer than hunger, It is not easy to peel a chestnut, It is no courtesy to refuse, Nothing is worthless except bad conduct, Nothing is sweet except what is forbidden, No modest maiden hears her father’s cock crow, No sleep equals health, Beauty is not easily judged without comparison, No waiting for goodness is long, It is not easy to see through darkness, God does not undo what He has done, [Numbers 23:19] A harp is not played by bodily strength, The nightingale and the crow do not sing alike, Nothing is better than enough, A crwth is not played with an axe, Nothing in excess is good, A man’s own judgement is not always best, Urging does not last long, Nothing is evil except what evil comes from, [Mark 7:20-23] There is no need to beg in a lord’s court, Nothing is more restless than the wind, Nothing is more oppressive than water, Nothing is more consuming than fire, Nothing is pure except the pure heart. [Matthew 5:8] The moist reaches no less far than the cunning, The upright man is no worse for being examined, There is no shame except as it is taken, It is not easy to blow fire with flour in one’s mouth, It is not easy to see in darkness, No man is wise except at times, Nothing gladdens a son like his friend, Service is no inheritance, No Welshman is wise unless he loses, There is no disgrace in improving oneself.
166 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
167 ANOTHER.
168 There is no country without a nation, No nation without men, No man without dignity, No dignity without nobility, No nobility without privilege, No privilege without learning, No learning without education, No education without manners, No manners without kindness, No kindness without discipline, No discipline without generosity, No generosity without love, No love without justice, No justice without peace, And no peace except God. [1 Corinthians 14:33] Without peace and justice, without love and generosity, without discipline and kindness, without manners and learning, without privilege and nobility, without dignity and manhood, without nation and country, without God, there is nothing.
169 ANOTHER.
170 There is no man without a nation, No nation without a country, No country without government, No government without law, No law without justice, No justice without mutual right, No mutual right except mutual understanding, No mutual understanding except shared judgement, No shared judgement except conscientiousness, No conscientiousness except shared learning, No shared learning except mutual love, No mutual love except mutual harmony, No mutual harmony except shared godliness, No shared godliness except from God, therefore There is no man except from God.
171 ANOTHER.
172 There is no life without freedom, No freedom without government, No government without wisdom, No wisdom without justice, No justice without mercy, No mercy without love, No love without generosity, No generosity without reflection, No reflection without understanding, No understanding without inspiration, No inspiration without judgement, No judgement without genius, No genius except nature, No nature except faith, No faith except truth, No truth except knowledge, No knowledge except belief, No belief without testimony, No testimony except proof, No proof except endeavour, therefore endeavour to the utmost.
173 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
174 ANOTHER.
175 There is no being except that which cannot be denied, namely God, No existence except that which cannot not-be, namely God, No living thing except that which cannot die, namely God, No power except that in which no weakness can be found, namely God, Nothing great except that which cannot be made greater, namely God, Nothing strong except that which cannot be overthrown, namely God, Nothing true except that which cannot be falsified, namely God, Nothing free except that upon which no oppression can come, namely God, Nothing just except that from which no injustice can proceed, namely God, No begetter except he who cannot himself be begotten, namely God, [John 1:3] No maker except he who was not made, namely God, [John 1:3] No excellence except that upon which no defect can fall, namely God, None wealthy except the one to whom all belongs, namely God, [Psalm 24:1] No possession except that which cannot be dispossessed, namely God, None owns except he of whom it cannot be denied that all things are his, namely God, [Psalm 24:1] No knowledge except where there can be no knowledge other than it, namely God, Nothing good except that which cannot be equalled, namely God, [Mark 10:18] No blessedness except he in whom there can be no misery, namely God, No light except that in which there can be no darkness, namely God, [1 John 1:5] Nothing righteous except that in which there can be no wrong, namely God, Nothing enduring except that to which there can be no end, namely God, [Revelation 1:8] Nothing secure except that in which there can be no insecurity, namely God, No happiness except where there can be no happiness other than it, namely God, No chief except he above whom there can be no chief, namely God, No king except he above whom there can be no king, namely God, [1 Timothy 6:15] No lord except he above whom there can be no lord, namely God, [Deuteronomy 10:17] No love except he in whom there can be no unlove, namely God, [1 John 4:8] No one except he to whom there can be no equal, namely God. [Isaiah 46:9]
176 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
177 ANOTHER. THE ORIGIN OF WISDOM.
178 There is no wisdom except inspiration, No inspiration except practice, No practice except striving, No striving except love, No love except choice, No choice except judgement, No judgement except reflection, No reflection except goodness, No goodness except God. Therefore there is no wisdom except from God.
179 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
180 ANOTHER. THE ORIGIN OF INSPIRATION.
181 There is no inspiration except wisdom, No wisdom except from practice, No practice except endeavour, No endeavour except judgement, No judgement except understanding, No understanding except reflection, No reflection except striving, No striving except desire, No desire except for goodness, No goodness except God. Therefore there is no inspiration except from God.
182 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
183 ANOTHER. THE ORIGIN OF KNOWLEDGE.
184 There is no knowledge except skill, No skill except order, No order except understanding, No understanding except endeavour, No endeavour except inquiry, No inquiry except cause, No cause except need, No need except necessity, No necessity except from God. Therefore there is no knowledge except from God.
185 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
186 ANOTHER.
187 There is no virtue except affection, No affection except delight, No delight except pleasure, No pleasure except disposition, No disposition except fitness, No fitness except nature, No nature except judgement, No judgement except reflection, No reflection except for benefit, No benefit except goodness, No goodness except God. Therefore there is no virtue except from God.
188 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
189 ANOTHER.
190 There is no neighbour except in fellowship, No fellowship except among family, No family spirit except courtesy, No courtesy except gentleness, No gentleness except humility, No humility except mercy, No mercy except blessedness, No blessedness except happiness, No happiness except harmlessness, No harmlessness except holiness, No holiness except love, No love except peaceableness, No peaceableness except prudence, No prudence except godliness, No godliness except with God, No being with God except with every goodness.
191 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
192 ANOTHER.
193 There is no happiness except harmlessness, No harmlessness except holiness, No holiness except innocence, No innocence except simplicity, No simplicity except freedom from desire, No freedom from desire except freedom from greed, No freedom from greed except contentment, No contentment except what is according to the will of God.
194 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
195 ANOTHER.
196 There is no true man except a Welshman, No countryman except a labourer, No servant except a steward, No support except a craftsman, No learning except a scholar, No teacher except a wise man, No wise man except a godly man.
197 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
198 ANOTHER.
199 There is no oppression except by a nobleman, No deceit except by a monk, No plunder except by a priest, No havoc except by a soldier, No sorcery except by a lord, No blindness except in law, No strength except in a nation, No nation except in unity.
200 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
201 ANOTHER.
202 There is no enchantment except youth, No delusion except pride, No jealousy except love, No folly except drunkenness, No unwisdom except anger, Nothing bitter except vengeance, No enemy except a teacher, No error of judgement except quarrelling, Nothing empty except idle talk, No wisdom except silence, No wise man except the patient man, No patient man except the wise man, Nothing sweet except sin, Nothing bitter except penance, No cleverness except righteousness, No extravagance except luxury, Nothing worthless except idleness, No deceit except the world, No disgrace except a woman, No counsel except to leave it alone.
203 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
204 ANOTHER.
205 There is no scattering except wind, No violence except fire, No devastation except flood, Nothing lighter than air, Nothing heavier than earth, Nothing harder than stone, Nothing swifter than lightning, Nothing more threatening than thunder, Nothing swallowing like the sea, No obstruction except woods, No hardship except mountains, No hindrance except marsh, No enclosure except a river, Nothing firmer than ice, Nothing more burdensome than snow, Nothing warmer than the sun, Nothing colder than the moon, No abundance except grass, Nothing more fertile than rain, Nothing more passionate than heat, Nothing damper than mist, No oppression except winter, No ease except summer, No hope except spring, No joy except harvest, No change except the seasons, No excess except time.
206 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
207 ANOTHER.
208 There is no life without wealth, No wealth except land, No riches except health, No sickness except poverty, No poverty except disease, No disease except sin.
209 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
210 ANOTHER.
211 It is not good to support an unstable man, It is not easy to agree with an ignorant man, There is no great dignity without fellowship, An unjust man is not admired, No traitor becomes a true countryman, A man’s life is nothing without a companion, No nobleman comes from a servile man, No wall is high for the man who does not labour, No protection except peace, No abundance except contentment, There is no living in feasting except through patience, No dishonour except hateful conduct, No unworthiness except falsehood, No honour except living in peace, Nothing endures except truth, No complete misery except from sin, No delight except happiness, No smallness except selfishness, No integrity except faithfulness, No learned son except an inspired one, No good fame except for a prudent man, No study except reflection, No godliness except humility, No creed is good unless it is blessed, No knowledge except divine teaching, No mastery without self-rule, No good conduct with bad behaviour, No good use of the sword unless for peace, [Matthew 26:52] No lack of happiness in an unskilled man, No lack of mercy in a generous man, No lack of health in a cheerful man, No great understanding in a man blind to his own faults, [Matthew 7:3] No lack of godliness in a liberal man, No great inspiration in a joyless man, No frequent modesty in a talkative man, No frequent greatness in a boaster, No frequent wisdom in one who judges others, No frequent silence in one with a loud voice, No frequent wisdom in one with great wealth, No frequent righteousness without learning or talent, No frequent truth in all that is heard, No trust except through testing, Nothing great except good, No hearing except a nation, No tune except deceit, No chief except judgement, No being except living, Nothing good except God, [Mark 10:18] No God except he who made heaven. [Genesis 1:1]
212 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings. And thus end the “Nidiau”.
213 THE SAYINGS OF CATWG THE WISE, CALLED THE “NIAU” OF CATWG THE WISE.
214 Nothing is worth anything where there is no restraint, Nothing is worth anything in a place where everyone acts only for the common crowd, No labour is worth anything from which neither payment nor reward is gained, A man’s love for another is worth nothing where it diminishes his good, Beauty is worth nothing without some praise in it or with it, A woman is worth nothing if she keeps company with every man, A dog is worth nothing if it follows every man, Service is worth nothing if no benefit is gained from it, It is worth nothing to jest in a lord’s service if loss comes from it, Excess is worth nothing when sorrows are gathered from it, Honour is worth nothing when false love agrees with it, No man is worth anything if he is not faithful to his word, An archer is worth nothing if he cannot aim his blow rightly, Counsellors are worth nothing, for through labouring by them the labour becomes vain, An army is worth nothing when every man leads himself, Possession is worth nothing if every need comes from it, Kingship is worth nothing if it does not obey the law, It is worth nothing for a man to be angry if none of his words are spared, No poor man is worth anything if he rejects restraint, Song is worth nothing without inspiration and judgement, Hope is worth nothing where there is no striving, Nothing is worth anything unless it is done with deliberation, Nothing is worth anything unless it is judged with conscience, Nothing is worth anything unless peace comes with it, Nothing studied is worth anything unless it is under the protection of a pure conscience, Nothing is worth anything without God.
215 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
216 ANOTHER, VARIOUS.
217 Nobility does not prevent failure, Honour does not prevent old age, Wealth does not prevent death, Wisdom does not prevent sin, Chastity does not prevent fate, Unchastity does not prevent misery, Wealth does not prevent greed, Poverty does not prevent generosity, A good life does not prevent a sudden death, Learning does not prevent enmity, Strength does not prevent sickness, Joy does not prevent sorrow.
218 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
219 ANOTHER.
220 A man is not respected where he comes too often, God is not angered by seeking justice, Death does not look at who is fair, A worthless man does not honour his betters, A wise man does not speak without cause, An idle man does not strive for anything beyond his idleness, A nobleman does not value his clothes, A wise man does not soil his own cap, A full belly does not know where an empty belly speaks, He who has not seen does not know, Arms do not fail a splendid servant, A hungry man does not ask what grain it is, A rolling stone gathers no moss, A bald man does not believe until he sees his forehead, A too-familiar man is not respected, A man does not seek to choose his own fault, The chatter of a gossiping woman does not prosper, Nothing prospers except through right conduct, An evil man does not often do good, Fat flesh does not remain firm, A head is not broken by speaking fairly, The wind does nothing worse than blow, Ease is not known to be ease until ease becomes hardship, A bull does not swim with a mirror, Nothing skilful is called unprofitable, Nothing enters a vessel except what is in it, A way is never lacking where there is will, Desire is never lacking in envy, Wood is not called a single tree, A happy man does not swim in despair, A happy man does not sleep himself into the morning, The fox does not smell his own stench, The sweet is not found without the bitter, Nothing is gained from a fox except its skin, A fool does not restrain his excess, There is no tale without ornament, There is no hill without a valley, A wealthy man is not over-wise, Excessive familiarity does not bring respect, An over-familiar man is not respected, A man does not love the work he does not understand, A servant cannot become a true man, An old head cannot be placed on young shoulders, No man gains good unless he endures evil, No profit comes without toil, The devil does not agree with the godly, God cannot be good to the wicked, A master does not love hopelessness, God does not sleep when he grants deliverance. [Psalm 121:4]
221 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
222 THE PROHIBITIONS OF CATWG THE WISE.
223 Do not seek heaven through your own deserts, Do not seek anything where it is not due, Do not seek confidence through pride, Do not seek to exalt yourself too highly lest you fall low, Do not seek to reach beyond your reach, Do not seek to carry a difficult message, Do not seek a secret from one who knows much, Do not seek profit from empty boasting, Do not seek belief for your lies, Do not seek warmth beneath ice, Do not seek to contend with your equal, Do not seek to struggle against your better, Do not trust the one who threatens you, Do not seek welcome beneath hostility, Do not seek joy without a smile, Do not play with a wounded old man, Do not seek profit from drunkenness, Do not seek gain from negligence, Do not jest with one who hates you, Do not slander one whom you fear, Do not blame another for the fault that is in yourself, [Matthew 7:3] Do not fight with envy, Do not spend the penny unless you have it, Do not sell heaven for earth, Do not stand upon cruelty, Take counsel only with the wise, Keep company only with the fortunate.
224 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
225 ANOTHER, OF THE SAME KIND.
226 Do not seek ease from anger, Do not seek thanks for refusal, Do not jest with one who hates you, Do not seek honour through evil conduct, Do not seek a good end from long wrongdoing, Do not seek dignity through pride, Do not jest with your enemy, Do not contend with your equal, Do not struggle against your better, Do not trust the one who threatens you, Do not seek confidence in pride, Do not raise yourself too high lest you be cast down low, [Luke 14:11] Do not seek to follow a message through uncertainty, Do not seek a secret from one who knows much, Do not seek profit from your empty boasting, Do not seek warmth beneath ice, Do not seek joy from the sick, Do not expect a good fist from one who threatens you, Do not seek splendid clothes from a desire for shamelessness, Do not seek to win paradise through arrogance, Do not seek to go to heaven while being bitter, Do not seek to see the Trinity unless you attain unity. [John 17:21]
227 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
228 THIS IS A DISCOURSE ON THE STRENGTHS WHICH WERE SHOWN DIFFERENTLY FROM BEFORE.
229 The strength of the eagle is in its claws, The strength of the serpent is in its skin, The strength of the stag is in its horn, The strength of the bull is in its head, The strength of the bear is in its arms, The strength of the horse is in its chest, The strength of the dog is in its teeth, The strength of the boar is in its tusk, The strength of the dove is in its wings, The strength of the bee is in its swarm, The strength of the cat is in its paws, The strength of a lord is his justice, The strength of a man is his judgement, The strength of a woman is her tongue.
230 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
231 THESE ARE OTHER “NIDIAU” THAN THOSE SHOWN BEFORE.
232 None is joyful except the generous man, None is sorrowful except the miser, None is renowned except the inquirer, None is gentle except he who gives, None is brave except he who strikes, None is cautious except he who has suffered harm, None is wealthy except he who shares, None who shares except the happy man, None happy except the harmless man, None harmless except he who loves God.
233 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
234 OTHERS.
235 There is no seeking except for what is worthy, Nothing worthy except what is good, Nothing good except virtue, No virtue except blessedness, No blessedness except knowledge, No knowledge except what is new, Nothing new except change, No change except for benefit, No benefit except what is fair, Nothing fair except what is just, Nothing just except love, No love except God. [1 John 4:8]
236 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
237 ANOTHER, DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE BEFORE.
238 There is no ignorance except unfamiliarity, No unfamiliarity except in one who does not know, He who does not know does not listen, He who does not listen does not learn, He who does not learn does not understand, No understanding except in the thoughtful, None thoughtful except the studious, None studious except the happy, None happy except the cheerful, None cheerful except the courteous, None courteous except the obedient, None obedient except the silent, None silent except the patient, None patient except the wise, None wise except the conscientious, None conscientious except the righteous, None righteous except the thoughtful, None thoughtful except the affectionate, None affectionate except the lover of song, None who love song except those who delight in discourse, No discourse except about God.
239 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
240 OTHERS.
241 There is no man except goodness, No goodness except the will of God, No will of God except love, No love except justice, No justice except nature, No nature except desire, No desire except knowledge, No knowledge except memory, No memory except awareness, No awareness except all, No all except God.
242 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
243 ANOTHER.
244 There is no mystery except nothingness, No nothingness except the invisible, No invisible except God, No God except nothingness, No nothingness except mystery, No mystery except God.
245 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
246 ANOTHER. THE AFFIRMATIONS OF CATWG THE WISE.
247 There is no will except the will of God, Nothing good except the will of God, Nothing great except the will of God, Nothing fair except the will of God, Nothing ready except the will of God, No leadership except the will of God, Nothing swift except the will of God, Nothing quick except the will of God, Nothing strong except the will of God, No strength except the will of God, No ability except the will of God, No excess except the will of God, No command except the will of God, Nothing secure except the will of God, No order except the will of God, No love except the will of God, No justice except the will of God, No wisdom except the will of God, No escape except the will of God, No existence except the will of God, No blessedness except the will of God, No obedience except to the will of God, No reverence except for the will of God. There is no God except will, No will except being, No being except God, What God wills shall be. There is no will except the will of God.
248 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
249 THE HATEFUL THINGS OF CATWG THE WISE.
250 DIFFERENT FROM THOSE BEFORE.
251 A proud poor man, An arrogant rich man, Worship without its proper adornment, A son without learning, A daughter without courtesy, A wife without self-control, A man without reflection, A young man without humility, An old man without godliness, A woman without chastity, A servant without obedience, Neighbourhood without love, A wealthy man who gives no charity, A leader without judgement, A horseman without experience, A lord without counsel, A bishop without learning, A people without law, A king without wisdom, A wise man without good deeds, [James 2:17] A judge without justice, A country without peace, A populace without descendants, A nation without knowledge, A teacher without patience, Knowledge without morals, War without mercy, Success without improvement, Learning without blessedness, A household without concord, Practice without skill, Skill without practice, A descendant without courtesy, A bard without proper instruction, A scholar without books, A youth without accomplishments, An accomplishment that is not good, A man without God, and To judge that God is without invisible goodness.
252 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
253 THE HATEFUL MEN OF CATWG.
254 A man who does not know his own good and does not seek instruction from another. A man who takes on more debt than he can ever pay. A man who is so generous that he keeps nothing necessary for himself. A man who promises everything and gives nothing. A man who swears oaths and is believed by no one. A man who threatens everyone and is feared by no one. A man who speaks so much that hearing him becomes wearisome. A man who complains of everything and has nothing worth complaining of. A man who reveals his secret to his enemy. A man who goes into dishonour for another man’s honour. A man who possesses no goods and yet trades in everything. A man who buys everything and profits from nothing. A man who does in one day what leaves him able to do nothing the next. A man who accuses another of faults that are in himself. A man who thinks himself better than anyone, while being worse than them all. A man who is not served by his servants and does not serve himself. A man who is a weak warrior and does not seek peace rather than war. A man who possesses much and gives nothing. A man who trusts everyone, while no one can trust him. A man who quarrels with one stronger than himself unless it leads to his death. A man who trusts in what is not steadfast. A man who trusts in gifts. A man who seeks excess through pride and boasting. A man who seeks his own advantage to the disadvantage of his neighbour. A man who is given his choice and chooses the worst. A man who does no good himself and does not allow another to do it. A man who persists in something plainly evil. A man who thinks himself wise while being foolish. A man who learns much and knows nothing fully. A man who abandons his faithful friend without cause in the world. A man who does evil and feels no repentance. [Luke 13:3] A poor man who rejects restraint. A man who argues against his God. A man who is foolish and takes pride in being more foolish still. A man who believes everyone though he does not know them. A man who shares secrets with strangers. A man who meddles in everything without cause. A man who offends everyone and is offended by everyone. A man who trusts no one and is trusted by no one. A man who speaks much and listens to nothing another says. A man who sees many customs and skills and learns nothing from them. A man who examines everything and buys nothing. A man who thinks himself wise while he is foolish. A man who thinks himself better than anyone in all things, while he is the worst of all in everything. A man who knows his own advantage and works against it. A man who seeks peace and gives none. A man who boasts of his own shame. A man who commits treachery in everything. A man who knows the law of God and His commandments, yet argues against them for reward. [Romans 1:32] A man who despises God and man. A man who is taught what is right and does not do it. [James 1:22] A man who complains at every occasion where there is no true cause for complaint. A man who gives himself to joy where there is no cause. A man who loves contention with everyone and on every occasion. A man who speaks greatly and acts little. A glutton who constantly talks of food and drink. A man who knows his fault and does not correct it. A man who grows angry at the one who shows him his fault. [Proverbs 9:8] A man who jests with everyone and tolerates jesting from no one. A man who asks so much that he cannot be answered. A man who cares not what he does or says. A man who troubles himself needlessly with what does not concern him. A man who is sorrowful where everyone else is joyful. A man who rejoices when everyone else is sorrowful. A man who tells willingly something different from what he heard. A man who mocks the learning he himself does not know. A man who accepts counsel only when it is too late. A man who sees his friend in need and does not help him. [1 John 3:17] A man who has authority and does not use it rightly. A man who knows he must die and gives no thought to the next world. [Hebrews 9:27]
255 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
256 THE HATEFUL MEN OF CATWG THE WISE, IN ANOTHER FORM.
257 A man who knows the good and does not learn it. A man who is not served and does not serve himself. A man to whom many things come, yet who gives nothing. A man who fights his lord unless it leads to his ruin. A man who lacks peace, desires war, and yet is a weak warrior. A man who accuses another of faults plainly found in himself. A man who thinks himself better than anyone in all things, while he is worse than anyone in everything. A man who complains so much of good that it brings him neither profit nor reward. A man who gives away what belongs to him and leaves himself with nothing. A man who promises everything and sets nothing right. A man who trades in everything and buys nothing. A man who threatens everyone and is feared by no one. A man who speaks much and is heard by no one. A man who swears vain oaths until no one believes him. A man who reveals his secret to a fool, an enemy, or one whom he knows cannot keep it hidden. A man who asks for everything he sees and gains nothing. A man who brings himself into dishonour for another man’s honour. A man who sees many customs and skills and learns nothing. A man who buys everything without gaining anything. A man who offends everyone and is offended by everyone. A man who trusts no one and is trusted by no one. A man who blames others while being blameworthy himself. A man who interferes in everything without cause. A man who secretly seeks counsel from a stranger. A man who believes everyone without knowing them. A man who trusts in gifts. A man who does in one day what leaves him unable to do anything the next. A man who devises deceit and trickery. A man who is given a choice and chooses the worst. A man who imagines greatness through pride and boasting. A man who seeks his own loss for his neighbour’s advantage. A man who does no good and does not allow another to do it. A man who persists in manifest evil. A man who thinks himself wise while he is foolish. A man who learns much and knows nothing. A man who abandons his companion without cause. A man who does evil and feels no repentance. [Luke 13:3] A poor man who rejects restraint. A man who mocks learning and good knowledge. A man without any good accomplishment. A man who is not brave in the cause of his friend and of truth. A man who boasts of his own shame. A man who neglects God and man. A man who has no property and does not strive through craft or skill. A man who is hated by another without showing why. An unstable man to whom nothing in the world can be entrusted. A man who knows the law of God and His commandments, yet argues against them for reward. [Romans 1:32] A man who gives no thought to what shall become of him in the end.
258 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred Sayings.
259 THE SEVEN QUESTIONS WHICH CATWG THE WISE PUT TO SEVEN WISE MEN OF HIS COURT AT LLANFEITHIN, AND THE ANSWERS OF THOSE MEN.
260 Question. What is the greatest good upon a man? Answer. Justice. Talhaiarn the Bard said it.
261 Question. What is the highest wisdom in a man? Answer. To have the power to do evil to another and yet not do it. Saint Teilo said it.
262 Question. What is the greatest vice in a man? Answer. Unchastity. Arawn son of Cynfarch said it.
263 Question. Who is the poorest? Answer. He who does not believe his own property to be enough for him. Taliesin, Chief of Bards, said it.
264 Question. Who is the richest? Answer. He who desires nothing belonging to another. Gildas of the Golden Bough said it.
265 Question. What is the fairest accomplishment in a man? Answer. Integrity. Cynan son of Clydno Eiddin declared it.
266 Question. What is the greatest envy in a man? Answer. To desire evil for another without being able to do it. Ystyffare, bard of Teilo, said it.
267 These Are the Seven Questions in Riddling Form from Another Book
268 What is the greatest wisdom in a man? Answer. To be able to do wrong and not do it. Saint Teilo.
269 What is the highest virtue in a man? Answer. Justice. Talhaiarn.
270 What is the greatest vice in a man? Answer. Falsehood. Taliesin, Chief of Poets.
271 What is the fairest accomplishment in a man? Answer. Integrity. Cynan son of Cludno of Eidyn.
272 What is the greatest folly in a man? Answer. To desire evil when he cannot achieve it. — Ystyfan, poet of Teilo.
273 Who will be the poorest? Answer. The one who does not take from his own possessions. Arawn son of Cynfarch.
274 Who will be the richest? Answer. The one who desires nothing that belongs to another. [Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21] Gildas of the Golden Wood.
275 And thus it ends.
276 Goddegau Catwg Ddoeth
277 Whoever wishes to be respected, let him be steadfast. Whoever wishes for God’s favour, let his judgement be just. Whoever wishes for health, let him be cheerful. Whoever wishes to be listened to, let him be courteous. Whoever wishes to be loved, let him be obedient. Whoever wishes for success, let him understand what hinders it. Whoever wishes for peace, let him be tranquil. Whoever wishes to lead, let him be knowledgeable. Whoever wishes his desire fulfilled, let him practise patience. Whoever wishes for glory, let him go to the grave. [Sirach 7:36]
278 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
279 True sayings of Catwg the Wise
280 Many a weak man has a good speech. Many a strong man inflicts evil suffering. Many a fair thing has a bad substance. Many an ugly thing is lovable. Many a true thing is ill spoken. Many a feeble man gives good counsel. Many a splendid man has bad conduct. Many a poor man leads a good life. Many a wealthy man is anxious at heart. Many a poor man sees enough for his needs. Many a sick man has good patience. Many a healthy man is full of anger. Many a hope comes to nothing. Many a thing comes in its own time. [Ecclesiastes 3:1]
281 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
282 Easinesses of Catwg the Wise.
283 Easy to satisfy is the fortunate man. Easy to anger is the wicked man. Easy to encourage is the brave man. Easy to frighten is the fearful man. Easy to advise is the inspired man. Easy to teach is the intelligent man. Easy to wound is the sick man. Easy to offend is the proud man. Easy to honour is the noble and worthy man. Easy to reward is the loving man. Easy to beguile is a baby. Easy to deceive is the guileless man. Easy to intercede for is the generous man. Easy to kill is a rush. Easy to draw a short sword from its sheath. Easy for the lame man to fall. Easy to find fault with food when one is hungry. Easy to gain upon one in need. Easy to obtain a smile from a cheerful disposition. Easy to catch a blind horse. Easy to boil a hot pea. Easy to say, “castle”. Easy to hear, believe, and let it pass. Easy to ford a brook. Easier to speak of great things than to do small ones. Easier to do good than evil. Easier to be wise than foolish. Easier to please God than the devil. Easier to go to heaven than to hell. [Wisdom 5:7; Matthew 11:30] Easier to see what is right than to blind oneself against it. [John 3:20]
284 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
285 Negations of Catwg the Wise.
286 Without a girl, no wisdom. Without wisdom, no understanding. Without understanding, no reflection. Without reflection, no knowledge. Without knowledge, no judgement. Without judgement, no learning. Without learning, no gift. Without a gift, no God. Without God, nothing. [John 15:5]
287 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
288 The cycle of the world and of life.
289 Poverty brings endeavour. Endeavour brings success. Success brings wealth. Wealth brings pride. Pride brings envy. Envy brings war. War brings poverty. Poverty brings peace. Peaceful poverty brings endeavour. Endeavour turns the same cycle as before.
290 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
291 Best things according to Catwg the Wise.
292 Best for a man is knowledge. Best for the young is purity. Best for the old is gentleness. Best for every person is conscience. Best tale, truth. Best lie, an obvious lie. Best task, doing good. Best saying, self-improvement. Best inheritance, keeping good manners. Best practice, wisdom. Best trust, trust in God. [Psalm 118:8; Proverbs 3:5]
293 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
294 The best things.
295 The best single food is bread. The best single seasoning is salt. [Sirach 39:26] The best single drink is wine. [Sirach 31:27] The best milk is buttermilk. The best beverage is a drink of water. The best errand is to visit a man in prison. [Matthew 25:36] The best giver is a generous priest. The best journey is a pilgrimage. The best fast is to avoid excess. The greatest generosity is to give charity. The best charity is to provide lodging. [Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:35] The best readiness is baptism. The best companion is a companionable man. The best judgement is justice. The best law is agreement. The best agreement is justice. The best work is doing good. The best art is understanding the truth. The best fight is to fight against vices. [Sirach 4:28; Ephesians 6:11–12] The best peace is peace of conscience. The best protection is the protection of God. [Psalm 91:1–2]
296 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
297 The best things.
298 The best task for one man is to keep a house well. The best single word is, “It is mine.” The best thing for everyone is what he can do himself. The best possession is a lasting one. The best judgement is justice. The best justice is mercy. [James 2:13] The best place is one that can be reached. The best food is that which keeps one from hunger. The best repayment is to make proper restitution. The best journey is a pilgrimage. The best friend is a clean conscience. The best candle is prudence. The best saying is goodness. The best thing for a man is his God. [Psalm 73:25] The best God is the God of the best.
299 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
300 The best things.
301 The best human being is a man. The best ornament is a wife. [Proverbs 18:22] The best steed is a horse. The best animal is a cow. The best livestock is a sheep. The best poultry are hens. The best herd is pigs. The best swarm is bees. The best woodland is a planted tree. The best trade is buying land. The best possession is an acre of land. The best readiness is money. The best quality is goodness. The best end is a good end. [Ecclesiastes 7:8; Matthew 24:13]
302 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
303 The best things.
304 The best name is, “It is mine.” The best friend is baptism. The best food is that which keeps one from hunger. The best grove is one that gives me shade. The best horse is one that carries me. The best sack is one with flour in it. The best axe is the one I own. The best share of the dish is the share I receive. The best thing is the thing I possess. The best little thing is a little hay. The best great thing is great contentment. [1 Timothy 6:6] The best is the best of every kind. The best fate is a good end. [Ecclesiastes 7:8; Matthew 24:13]
305 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
306 The best things.
307 The best half-score is a sheep. Best among sheep, the hornless ones. Best among cattle, the brindled ones. Best among horses, the gentlest ones. Best among pigs, the fattest ones. Best among hens, the white ones. Best among men, the wisest ones. Best among women, the simplest ones. Best among sons, the stoutest ones. Best among daughters, the slenderest ones. Best among dogs, the swiftest ones. Best among cloth, the reddest. Best among linen, the finest. Best among wheat, the barest-grained. Best among oats, the plumpest. Best among barley, the shortest. Best woodland is planted trees. The best exchange is an exchange for land. The best single tool is a knife. The best single garment is a cloak. The best in every thing is the best. The best of evils is the least. [1 Corinthians 5:8 (strong thematic parallel)]
308 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
309 The best things.
310 The best single food is bread. The best seasoning is salt. [Sirach 39:26] The best drink is wine. [Sirach 31:27] The best beverage is water. The best feast-drink is mead. The best nourishment is ale. The best medicine is milk. The best game animal is the stag. The best livestock is a wether. The best sea fish is the pollack. The best freshwater fish is the trout. The best fruit is apples. The best vegetable is cabbage. The best work is tilling the land. The best play is joy. [Proverbs 17:22]
311 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
312 The best things.
313 The best occupation is working the land. The best crop is wheat. Best among wheat, the barest-grained. Best among barley, the shortest. Best among oats, the largest. Best among apples, the smallest. Best among vegetables, cabbage. Best among figs, beans. The best provision is sustenance. The best half-score is a sheep. The best fullness is a cow. The best herd is pigs. The best poultry are hens. The best breeding stock is a stud of mares. The best wealth is cattle. The best milk is buttermilk. The best food is flour. The best vegetable plot is an orchard. The best cultivation is a garden. The best prosperity is bees. The best woodland is a planted tree. The best resource is land. The best security is a dwelling-house. The best household work is the wheel and combs. Best among cloth, the reddest. Best among linen, the finest. Best among cheese, the hardest. Best among butter, the yellowest. The best animal is a horse. Best among dogs, the swiftest. Best among horses, the largest. Best among soils, the reddest. Best among cattle, heifers. Best among pigs, the white ones. Best among sheep, the hornless ones. Best among hens, the white ones. The best homestead is a father’s homestead. The best country is the land of one’s birth. The best tool is a knife. The best garment is a cloak. The best possession is a home. The best work for one man is keeping a house. The best dignity is noble birth. The best acquisition is knowledge. [Proverbs 4:7] The best treasure is skill. The best peacemaker is the hearth-tax. The best delight is a son. [Psalm 127:3] The best affection is a daughter. The best ornament is a good wife. [Proverbs 18:22; Sirach 26:1–4] The best gain is a good name. [Proverbs 22:1; Sirach 41:12] The best lord is conscience. [Romans 2:14–15]
314 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
315 The best things.
316 Best among men, the wisest. Best among women, the simplest. Best among sons, the most obedient. Best among daughters, the most modest. Best among servants, the most faithful. Best among neighbours, the least proud. Best among workers, the most skilful. The best walking is on foot. The best counsellor is an experienced servant. The best companion is a companionable man. The best errand is to go and offer comfort. The best giver is a generous priest. The best candle is prudence in a man. The best possession is that which is kept secure. The best physician is the physician of the soul. [Sirach 38:1–14; Mark 2:17] The best inheritance is the keeping of good manners. The best saying is goodness. The best share is to give one’s substance. The best thing for everyone is what he can do himself. The best single word is, “It is mine.” The best weapon is the bare fist. The best garment is a cloak. The best jest is while there is laughter. The best opponent is a worthy opponent. The best repentance is repentance shown in making restitution. [Luke 19:8–9] The best joy is to bid farewell to an evil deed. The best wisdom is silence. [Proverbs 17:28; Sirach 20:5–8] The best pilgrimage is to go on pilgrimage. The best hunger is hunger for silver. The best wealth is contentment. [1 Timothy 6:6; Hebrews 13:5] The best knowledge is knowledge of oneself. [Lamentations 3:40 (strong thematic parallel)] The best lord is conscience. [Romans 2:14–15] The best learning is reflection. The best thought is thought of God. [Sirach 39:6]
317 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
318 The best things.
319 The best weapon is courage. The best courage is reflection before striking. [Proverbs 19:2] The best striking is to strike the nail on the head. The best head is a head set upon envy. The best envy is that for which one is most eager.
320 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
321 The best things.
322 The best scarcity is scarcity of words. [Proverbs 10:19] The best abundance is abundance of charity. [Tobit 12:8–9] The best greatness is great endeavour. The best small thing is a little hay. The best valour is peace. The best wisdom is ignorance of evil. [Romans 16:19] The best peacemaker is truth. [Zechariah 8:16] The best bravery is avoiding envy. The best intelligence is bought wisdom. The best prudence is keeping one’s distance. The best want is want of wealth. The best advantage is an advantage seen from afar. The best poet is one who is not known. The best man is the best man. The best wealth is light. [Ecclesiastes 11:7] The best relic is freedom from entangling alliances. The best brother is a brother who remains one. [Proverbs 17:17] The best counsel is to avoid what one lacks. The best satisfaction is to please God. [Galatians 1:10] The best retreat is pilgrimage. The best friend is a friend who rebukes me. [Proverbs 27:5–6] The best craft is the one I know. The best gift of God is a healthy conscience. [Acts 24:16] The best ornament is the one I possess. The best food is what I have hunted for myself. The best cloak is the one I own. Best among birds are those I have caught. Best among stones are those I can carry. The best teacher is hardship. [Sirach 21:2–4 (strong thematic parallel)] The best book is study. The best of accomplishments is to be at peace. The best laughter is laughter that is not heard. The best feast is to be far from it. The best beloved is the weakest. The best kindness is to point out a fault. [Leviticus 19:17] The best affection is to rebuke sin. [Leviticus 19:17; Matthew 18:15] The best arrangement is to leave it alone. The best praise is my own honour. The best friend is wisdom. [Wisdom 7:27] The best reconciler is the wisest man. The best lord is the one I praise. The best art is skill. The best thing in an old man is his counsel. The best counsellor is a father. [Sirach 3:1–16] The best keeper of secrets is a mother. The best support is a sister. The best help is a brother. [Proverbs 17:17] The best companionship is a wife. [Sirach 40:23] The best mediator is a peacemaker. [Matthew 5:9] The best enemy is one who fears me. The best fear is the fear of God. [Sirach 1:11–20; Proverbs 9:10]
323 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
324 Habits of Catwg the Wise.
325 It is usual for the young to have long anxiety. It is usual for the experienced man to have long patience. It is usual for the poor man to have long need. It is usual for the cruel man to have long hatred. It is usual for the thief to be long pursued. It is usual for the coward to endure long mockery. It is usual for the liar to suffer long affliction. It is usual for pride to bring long dishonour. It is usual for the covetous man to have long endurance. It is usual for the wicked man to have long sorrow. It is usual for the fortunate man to have long tranquillity. It is usual for the tranquil man to possess the fatherly care of God. [Psalm 131:2; Matthew 11:29]
326 Catwg the Wise, from his Hundred Sayings.
327 The Best of the Eighteen Praiseworthy Qualities Of Catwg the Wise
328 The best conduct is morality.
329 The best practice is diligence.
330 The best natural disposition is truthfulness.
331 The best inspiration is prudence.
332 The best quality in a woman is compassion.
333 The best reflection is to know oneself.
334 The best nourishment is fasting.
335 The best care is to be just.
336 The best endeavour is knowledge.
337 The best talent is generosity.
338 The best desire is the desire for peace. [Psalm 34:14]
339 The best choice is to do good.
340 The best way to live is through skill.
341 The best learning is scholarship.
342 The best sorrow is sorrow for sin. [2 Corinthians 7:10]
343 The best comfort is the joy of a good conscience.
344 The best rivalry is over who has the better way of life.
345 The best meditation is upon God.
346 Catwg the Wise in his Hundred Sayings, An ancient poet who sang verses such as these: Eighteen excellent qualities Were bestowed upon Gwgon son of Rhys, And one evil quality in Gwgon Destroyed the eighteen gifts.
347 An Ancient Poet Called Ystudfach, Who Had Been a Bard of Vortigern the Blessed, Saw the Eighteen Praiseworthy Qualities of Catwg the Wise, and Then Sang Them Thus Himself
348 The Eighteen Praiseworthy Qualities of Ystudfach, Bard of Vortigern the Blessed.
349 Valiant in hardship and adversity.
350 Patient in suffering.
351 Steadfast in his friendship.
352 Wise in his counsel.
353 Unassuming in his fame and success.
354 Humble in his conduct.
355 Temperate in his accomplishments.
356 Industrious in his work and endeavours.
357 Eager for knowledge.
358 Generous in word, deed, and thought.
359 Courteous in rivalry.
360 Pleasant in his behaviour.
361 Hospitable in his home.
362 Peaceable in his neighbourhood.
363 Chaste in body and mind.
364 True in word and deed.
365 Righteous in his way of life.
366 Compassionate towards the poor and afflicted. [Tobit 4:7; Proverbs 14:21]
367 “You surpass me,” said Catwg, “for you have attained what is best in me.” “No,” said Ystudfach, “it is not so. I have gained no superiority over you, and you have shown humility; therefore you are the wiser, and the honour belongs to you.” And the judgement was made that Catwg was the wisest of the wise, while Catwg wished to bestow that praise upon Ystudfach.
368 The Better Things of Catwg the Wise
369 Better to honour a man, Better a wife than her dowry, Better to lend than to be in need, Better truth than falsehood, Better wealth than poverty, Better poverty than shame, Better that a wicked man be punished, Better learning than wealth, Better prudence than gold, Better silence than evil speech, Better a kinsman than a judge, Better endurance than anxiety, Better life than death, Better a craft when practised, Better an honest poor man than a proud rich one, Better noble birth than servitude, Better play than fighting, Better to threaten than to strike, Better to strike than to kill, Better a little gained through grace than much gained through disgrace, Better to please every man than to displease him, Better mercy than cruelty, [James 2:13] Better the blessing of the poor than the mastery of the mighty, [Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 7:32] Better generosity than greed, Better a friend at court than gold in the field, Better not to promise than to make a false promise, [Ecclesiastes 5:5] Better a share through fear than a share through affection, Better keeping than pursuing, Better two heads than one, Better the evil that is known than the evil that is unknown, Better the strength of two cats than one, Better somewhat obstinate than greatly foolish, Better a grave than a life of want, Better skill than treasure, Better skill than inheritance, Better one who yields than one who takes revenge, [Romans 12:19] Better a little milk than much buttermilk, Better “alas for me” than “alas for us”, Better conduct than noble birth, Better by the wall with the fortunate than by the fire with the unfortunate, Better the best than merely good, Better one head than a hundred heads; better two heads than one, Better a helping friend than a flattering friend, Better in the pot than in the fire, Better a little in hand than much close by, Better what I hold than what I call for, Better one “come” than two “goes”, Better one true word than a hundred fair words, Better the shade of a reed than none at all, Better a dog that barks than a dog that bites, Better misfortune when it comes than the fear of it, Better a starling in the hand than a goose on the wing, Better a bird in the hand than two in the bush, Better learning than riches; better inspiration than learning, Better conscience than inspiration; better God than all.
370 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
371 The Maxims of Catwg the Wise
372 Whoever is wise will listen courteously. Whoever is brave will stand by his friend. Whoever is sick will lie down. Whoever is secure will sleep in peace. Whoever is light of heart will sing. Whoever is fortunate will live a pure life. Whoever is generous will show compassion. Whoever is holy will love what is good. Whoever is thoughtful will reflect. Whoever is skilful will consider carefully. Whoever is poor will receive help. Whoever is rich will conceal his want. Whoever is diligent will work. Whoever is a traveller will journey. Whoever is calm will be a leader. Whoever is deceitful is hated by God. [Psalm 5:6]
373 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
374 Another
375 Whoever desires wealth, let him seek his wife’s counsel. Whoever desires to live righteously, let him seek his lord’s counsel. Whoever desires to live peacefully, let him seek his king’s counsel. Whoever desires to live godly, let him seek his priest’s counsel. Whoever desires knowledge, let him seek the counsel of his kinsmen and neighbours. Whoever desires honour, let him seek it through his accomplishments. Whoever desires to be free from pride, let him seek his mother’s counsel. Whoever desires to be wise, let him seek the counsel of those he loves. Whoever desires security, let him seek it through his children. Whoever desires success, let him seek it through diligence. Whoever desires his own will, let him seek it from God. [Psalm 37:4] And in obtaining that, he shall have all the good things he desires.
376 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
377 Seven Men Who Ruin the World
378 A man without restraint. A woman without modesty. A son without learning. A judge without godliness. An officer without conscience. A lord without justice. A king without mercy.
379 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
380 The Reflections of Catwg the Wise
381 In every man there is a soul, In every soul there is understanding, In every understanding there is thought, In every thought there is either evil or good, In every evil there is death, [Romans 6:23] In every good there is life, In every life there is God. [Acts 17:28]
382 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
383 Various Reflections
384 Half of life is knowledge, Half of knowledge is understanding, Half of understanding is inspiration, Half of inspiration is practice, Half of practice is affection, Half of affection is learning.
385 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
386 Another of the Same Kind
387 Half of inspiration is praise, Half of poetry is hearing it, Half of nobility is learning, Half of learning is confidence, Half of renown is noble nature, Half of beauty is adornment, Half of health is exercise, Half of a journey is knowing it, Half of a feast is hospitality, Half of wisdom is reflection, Half of wealth is contentment, Half of skill is its virtues, Half of government is peace.
388 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
389 Another, of Various Kinds
390 Strong is every knowledgeable person, Wise is every righteous person, Prudent is every truthful person, Good is every loving person, Great is every skilful person, Rich is every contented person, Poor is every grumbling person, Godly is every conscientious person, Virtuous is every humble person, Generous is every compassionate person, Faithful is every honest person, Steadfast is every patient person, Valiant is every lover of truth, Affectionate is every pleasant person, Happy is every temperate person, Kind is every peaceable person, Judicious is every silent person, Successful is every enterprising person, Blessed is everyone whose life is pure, [Psalm 119:1] Joyful is every benevolent person.
391 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
392 Another, of One Kind
393 Proud is every arrogant person, Ignorant is every unenterprising person, Unfortunate is every ignorant person, Wretched is every loveless person, Greedy is every wretched person, A murderer is every thief, A thief is every evildoer, Hunger is every desire, Discontented is every hungry person, An enemy is every discontented person.
394 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
395 And in Another Form, Thus
396 Violence is in every wrong, Envy is in every oppressed person, An enemy is every envious person, Every enemy is without cause.
397 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
398 Another Form
399 Discontent is in every hungry person, Hunger is in every desire for revenge, Envious is every vengeful person, An enemy is every vengeful person, Oppressed is every enemy.
400 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
401 These Are the Counsels Which Catwg the Wise Gave to Taliesin, Chief of Bards, When He Was His Pupil
402 THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK.
403 First, what you will say.
404 Second, why you will say it.
405 Third, to whom you will say it.
406 Fourth, concerning whom you will say it.
407 Fifth, what will come from what you say.
408 Sixth, what benefit will come from what you say.
409 Seventh, who will hear what you say.
410 Put your word upon the tip of your finger before you speak it, And turn it over in this manner before you speak it, And no evil will ever come from what you say.
411 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise, spoken to Taliesin, Chief of Bards, in bestowing his blessing upon him.
412 The Choice Possessions of a Man
413 And These Catwg the Wise Sang to His Father, Gwynllyw the Warrior, Son of Gloyw, Son of Tegid, Son of Cadell Deyrnllwg.
414 A weatherproof house, A well-enclosed homestead, Gentle land, A comfortable bed, A chaste wife, Wholesome food, A lively, invigorating drink, A bright fire, Warm clothing, A peaceful neighbourhood, A diligent servant, A lively maidservant, An honest son, A modest daughter, A faithful friend, A trustworthy companion, A gentle horse, A swift greyhound, An eager hawk, Strong oxen, Well-coloured cattle, Fine sheep, Long-bodied pigs, A noble household, A well-ordered home, A learned bard, A pleasant harpist, A nearby mill, A distant church, A strong lord, A just king, A wise spiritual father, And a merciful God. [Psalm 103:8]
415 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
416 Deficiencies, No Different from Those Before
417 Without a teacher, no learning. Without learning, no knowledge. Without knowledge, no wisdom. Without wisdom, no godliness. Without godliness, no God. Without God, nothing. [John 15:5]
418 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
419 Four Things Which Are of Chief Importance
420 First, anger. Second, greed. Third, idleness. Fourth, fear.
421 And wherever any one of these is found, every other evil may be found there also; for from them all other vices spring powerfully in thought and deed.
422 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
423 The Exhortations of Catwg the Wise
424 If you would feel, feel your heart and your conscience. If you would hope, hope in the virtuous. If you would listen, listen to the cry of the poor and needy. [Proverbs 21:13] If you would taste, taste wisdom. If you would smell, smell innocence. If you would seek, seek knowledge. If you would attain, seek understanding. If you would imagine, seek imagination guided by prudence. If you would act, do your duty. If you would hate, hate evil of every kind. [Psalm 97:10] If you would know, know yourself. If you would understand, understand the commandments of David. If you would reflect, reflect upon your end. [Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 7:36] If you would fear, fear your sins. If you would speak, speak what is true. [Ephesians 4:25] If you would judge, judge within your conscience. If you would resolve, resolve to improve your life. If you would venture, venture on behalf of every just cause. If you would love, love peace. [Psalm 34:14] If you would rejoice, rejoice in suffering for the truth. [Matthew 5:10–12] If you would grieve, grieve for your sin. [2 Corinthians 7:10] If you would pray, pray to God for his grace and mercy. If you would delight yourself, delight in godly devotion. If you would give thanks for what you have received, give thanks above all to God. [1 Thessalonians 5:18] If you would trust, trust in your God.
425 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
426 Another of the Same Kind
427 If you would feel, feel the weakness of your understanding. If you would see, see your fault. If you would listen, listen to wise counsel. If you would seek, seek peace with everyone. [Romans 12:18] If you would believe, believe that you know nothing. If you would taste, taste the sweetness of godliness. If you would smell, smell the foulness of sin. If you would understand, understand what you are. If you would act, do justice. If you would hate, hate the world and its things. [1 John 2:15] If you would know, know your own heart. If you would understand, understand that you are a mortal man. If you would remember, remember that you shall die. [Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 7:36] If you would reflect, reflect upon the Last Judgement. [Matthew 25:31–46] If you would fear, fear the deceitfulness of your own heart. [Jeremiah 17:9] If you would speak, speak truth above all things. [Ephesians 4:25] If you would judge, judge a righteous judgement. [John 7:24] If you would resolve, resolve to improve your life. If you would devote yourself, devote yourself to doing good. If you would venture, venture for peace and concord. If you would trust, trust in the One who knows your need. If you would humble yourself, humble yourself before the One who gave you life and being. [Acts 17:28] If you would delight yourself, delight in godliness. If you would love, love your God; and in God, love every being that possesses life and existence. [Matthew 22:37–39]
428 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
429 The Parables of Catwg the Wise
430 If a crown were worn upon the head of every fool, we should all be kings.
431 If a bell hung from the neck of every envious person, no one would ever be found in church except priests and their bell-ringers.
432 If every unwise person were to die, no one would need to be buried; there would not be a living man left to dig the grave.
433 If every fool had horns upon his head, good money could be earned by exhibiting a bald man.
434 If every person’s shame were written upon his forehead, masks would be in great demand.
435 If a woman were as swift on her feet as on her tongue, she would gather enough brushwood to light the morning fire.
436 If no one spoke anything but truth and wisdom, remarkable indeed would be the number of the mute.
437 If a gossip could see the folly of his chatter, he would keep his tongue still long enough for his broth to cool.
438 If a boaster could see the emptiness of his accomplishment, he would abandon it for shame.
439 If a miser could hear the ugliness of his heart, he would die of disgust.
440 If a lazy man could see the harm that comes from his idleness, he would shake himself free of sloth through fear and shame.
441 If a maiden could see her own frailty, she would perish from fear.
442 If a proud man could see his own heart, he would lose all his senses in terror.
443 If everyone could see the heart of another, each would become a mirror to all, revealing their faults.
444 If a slanderer could see his own blackness, he would hang himself for shame before God and man.
445 If a foolish man could see the wisdom he lacks, he would hide his face in shame.
446 If a drunkard could see the foulness of his drunkenness, he would hide himself beneath the dung heap.
447 If a liar could see the falsehood of his deceitfulness, he would despise himself in anger.
448 If deceit could taste the flavour of its own corruption, it would vomit out its very entrails.
449 If greed could see its own natural ugliness, it would have the appearance and countenance of a devil.
450 If a teacher could see what comes of his work, he would see the whole matter ending upon his own head.
451 If a deceiver could see the filth of his deceit, he would devise a way to escape from it.
452 If an angry man could see the savagery of his wrath, he would fiercely pursue himself because of it.
453 If a vengeful man could see the devilishness of revenge, he would rather go to the devil than give himself over to it.
454 If the extortioner could see the appearance of his conscience, he would cry aloud, “Woe is me! I have seen a devil from the depths of hell.”
455 If the hypocrite could see the misery of his condition, he would be horrified by it.
456 If the adulterer could see the uncleanness of his adultery, he would loathe very ground upon which he walked.
457 If the warlike man could see his own cruelty, he would fear that every speck in the sun’s rays might wound him with a sword.
458 If ignorance could see its own ugliness, it would envy the beauty of a worm before it.
459 If arrogance could see the envy within itself, it would rage with anger at being more envious than anyone else.
460 If the ungodly man could see his end, he would die of terror.
461 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
462 The Reproofs of Catwg the Wise
463 Reproof for the knowledge that makes a man unwise, Reproof for the affections that make a man hot-headed. Reproof for the joy that ends in sorrow, Reproof for labour spent on what comes to an early end. Reproof for the impulsive man who considers no purpose, Reproof for the skill that does not walk in the paths of inspiration. Reproof for empty nobility that is accompanied by pride, Reproof for great concealment that profits only its possessor. Reproof for great boasting where there is little knowledge, Reproof for the false saint whose deeds are unholy. Reproof for deceitful learning that does not teach the truth, Reproof for reflection that does not consider its end. Reproof for the grasping miser who takes nothing from his own wealth, Reproof for the man who loves peace nowhere he may be found. Reproof for the poor inspiration that seeks every vain glory, Reproof for every practice that does not spring from conscience. Reproof for every deed that is contrary to justice, Reproof for the devilish man who loves cruelty. Reproof for the hard-hearted man who is without compassion, Reproof for everyone who is neither modest nor courteous. Reproof for the grey-headed man who has spent his life Without God in his conscience and without concern for his end.
464 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
465 The Articles of Truth of Catwg the Wise
466 God is in every right; the Devil is in every wrong.
467 God is in every generosity; the Devil is in every arrogance.
468 God is in every love; the Devil is in every hatred. [1 John 4:8]
469 God is in every peace; the Devil is in every war.
470 God is in every joy; the Devil is in every sorrow.
471 God is in every courtesy; the Devil is in every loathsomeness.
472 God is in every prudence; the Devil is in every folly.
473 God is in every happiness; the Devil is in every misery.
474 God is in every gentleness; the Devil is in every harshness.
475 God is in every beauty; the Devil is in every ugliness.
476 God is in every truth; the Devil is in every falsehood. [John 14:6; John 8:44]
477 God is in every benefit; the Devil is in every harm.
478 God is in every order; the Devil is in every disorder.
479 God is in every good; the Devil is in every evil.
480 God is in every purity; the Devil is in every impurity.
481 God is in every honesty; the Devil is in every deceit.
482 God is in every mercy; the Devil is in every cruelty.
483 God is in every cleanness; the Devil is in every uncleanness.
484 God is in every virtue; the Devil is in every vice.
485 God is in every light; the Devil is in every darkness. [1 John 1:5]
486 God is in every blessedness; the Devil is in every misfortune.
487 God is in every understanding; the Devil is in every ignorance.
488 God is in every orderliness; the Devil is in every disorderliness.
489 God is in every life; the Devil is in every death. [Deuteronomy 30:19]
490 To gain God is to gain all; To lose God is to lose everything.
491 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
492 One Thing Worse Than a Hundred, in the Sayings of Catwg the Wise
493 One evildoer is worse than a hundred murderers.
494 One physician is worse than a hundred butchers.
495 One deceiver is worse than a hundred acts of violence.
496 One traitor is worse than a hundred enemies.
497 One great blow is worse than a hundred poisoned blows.
498 One hour of praise is worse than a hundred hours of hunger.
499 One act of idleness is worse than a hundred reproaches.
500 One careless person is worse than a hundred drunkards.
501 One adulterer is worse than a hundred plotters.
502 One spendthrift is worse than a hundred feasts.
503 One fool is worse than a hundred teachers.
504 One disgrace is worse than a hundred spoils.
505 One dissatisfaction is worse than a hundred hardships.
506 One excess is worse than a hundred deficiencies.
507 One lie is worse than a hundred accusations.
508 One hypocrite is worse than a hundred liars.
509 One sorcerer is worse than a hundred devils.
510 One miser is worse than a hundred thieves.
511 One woman’s tongue is worse than a hundred claps of thunder.
512 One bittern is worse than a hundred sows.
513 One cur is worse than a hundred harlots.
514 One priest is worse than a hundred deceivers.
515 One act of magic is worse than a hundred acts of sorcery.
516 One lawyer is worse than a hundred watchmen.
517 One flattering word is worse than a hundred wicked men.
518 One wicked man is worse than a hundred divorce-makers.
519 One divorce-maker is worse than a hundred acts of oppression.
520 One act of oppression is worse than a hundred plagues.
521 One plague is worse than a hundred famines.
522 One misfortune is worse than a hundred plagues.
523 One evil lord is worse than a hundred misfortunes.
524 One unjust judgement is worse than a hundred evil lords.
525 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
526 The Contrasts of Catwg the Wise
527 Every fool may become a priest; it takes a wise man to become a scholar.
528 Every wild man may become a farmer; it takes an intelligent man to become a craftsman.
529 Every devil may become a soldier; it takes a good man to become a peacemaker. [Matthew 5:9]
530 Every scoundrel may become a lawyer; it takes a wise man to become a judge.
531 Every wretch may become a chief poet; it takes a happy and well-ordered man to become a teacher.
532 Every thief may become wealthy; it takes a noble-minded man to become a gentleman.
533 Every vain and arrogant man may become boastful; it takes a pleasant man to become a leader.
534 Every mocker may become a drunkard; it takes a learned man to become a poet.
535 Every worm may become a miser; it takes a man no worse than a thief to make a man.
536 Every envious person may become a gossip; it takes a wise man to keep silent.
537 Every ignorant man may become a critic; it takes a discerning man to become a judge.
538 Every wanderer may become a quarreller; it takes a prudent man to become a counsellor.
539 Every dog may become a reprover; it takes a godly man to become a reformer.
540 Every swine may tear down; it takes a man of understanding to build up.
541 Every fearful man will refrain from what he sees to be evil; it takes a confident and courageous man to do good.
542 Every man of the Devil does only the good that benefits himself; it takes a man of God to do good to another at his own cost. [Philippians 2:4]
543 Every greedy man may gain gold and silver; it takes a truly happy man to gain riches.
544 Every destructive man may win the favour of the world; it takes an upright and loving man to win the favour of God. [Galatians 1:10]
545 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
546 These Are the Twelve Questions Which Catwg the Wise Put to His Disciples
547 Who is wise? Answer. He who does not become angry when mocked, nor proud when praised.
548 Who is prudent? Answer. He who carefully considers his thoughts before speaking them.
549 Who is strong? Answer. He who can master his passions.
550 Who is steadfast? Answer. He who can conceal his poverty.
551 Who is foolish? Answer. He who cannot keep his own secret.
552 Who is acceptable among the people? Answer. He who can support himself.
553 Who is joyful? Answer. He whose conscience does not rebuke him.
554 Who is free? Answer. The possessor of a craft and a skill, who can maintain himself wherever in the world he wishes to be.
555 Who is of good conduct? Answer. He who knows how to endure a bad-tempered man who is his companion.
556 Who is benevolent? Answer. He who punishes himself for the benefit of another.
557 Who is happy? Answer. He in whom there is a natural hatred of evil, and a natural love for what is good. [Amos 5:15]
558 Who is godly? Answer. He who believes in God and loves Him, and who sees that God’s will and God’s work are best in all things. [Romans 8:28]
559 And thus end the sayings of wisdom of Catwg the Wise.
560 Counsels Concerning Health and Long Life
561 If you desire to live long: play until twenty, labour until forty, and rest thereafter.
562 Rise with the lark, sing with the lark, and go to sleep with the lark.
563 Eat when you are hungry, drink when you are thirsty, and rest when you are weary.
564 Avoid food that is too hot, drink that is too strong, and work that is too heavy and burdensome.
565 Avoid excess food, excess drink, and excessive labour.
566 Avoid quarrels, love peace, and be magnanimous. [Psalm 34:14]
567 Be cheerful, be generous, and be just.
568 Be faithful to one wife, steadfast in your faith, and pure in your conscience.
569 Be thoughtful in the morning, industrious during the day, and sociable in the evening.
570 Let your meditation be pleasant, your deeds innocent, and your air wholesome.
571 Let your clothing be neither old nor worn out, your surroundings clean, and be content with the world as it is.
572 Let your clothing be light, your food moderate, and your heart light.
573 Let your disposition be loving, your inspiration lively, and your friends many.
574 Keep the law of your country, the rule of your calling, and the commandments of your God.
575 And if you do these things, your body will be healthy, your mind at ease, and your conscience pure.
576 Your life will be long, your end will be blessed, and your God will love you.
577 From The Hundred Sayings of Catwg the Wise.
578 Reflections of Catwg the Wise
579 There is nothing without some virtue in it, No evil can exist without some good from it, The happy person needs neither lineage nor possessions, For the blessed, nothing can be better than what is within him, Nothing is right for anyone except what satisfies him, No food is just except for the one who works for it [2 Thessalonians 3:10], There is no wisdom except for the one who learns it, There is no love except for the one who loves, There is nothing for the miser except what he takes, No one is obliged to do the thing he cannot do, No one has anything from God except what he receives [John 3:27], It is not right for anyone to have everything he wants, Nothing adorns anyone except what suits him, Knowledge will not be lacking to the one who seeks it, Praise is worth nothing except to the one who deserves it, Abundance will not fail the one who works for it, There is nothing better in a quarrel than leaving it alone [Proverbs 17:14], No one has wealth except what satisfies him, God has kept back from no one what would be good for him [Psalm 84:11], Nothing is fated for anyone except what follows him.
580 Catwg the Wise sang it.
581 Nothings
582 No one is a chief except he who is master over himself, No one is strong except he who is stronger than himself [Proverbs 16:32], No one is victorious except he who conquers himself [Proverbs 16:32], No one has achieved a feat except the man who governs himself [Proverbs 16:32], No man is a teacher unless he teaches good to himself, No one is understanding except he who understands himself, No one is knowing except he who knows himself, No one is knowledgeable except he who knows what is his own, No one is skilful except he who is able to improve himself, No one is wise except he who sees his own folly, No one is watchful except he who watches over himself, No one is wise except he who reforms himself, No one is brave except he who resists himself, No one is experienced except he who knows his own path, No one is accomplished except he who knows his own skill, No one is a slave except he who submits to himself, No one is free except he who is not bound to himself, No one strives except he who strives to correct himself, No one is a fool except he who thinks well of himself, No one is an owner except he who owns himself, No one is a man except he who respects himself.
583 Catwg the Wise sang it.
584 Catwg the Wise’s Hateful People
585 An old person without religion.
586 A young person without learning.
587 A servant without fear.
588 A woman without shame.
589 A son without manners.
590 A daughter without modesty.
591 A lecherous old person.
592 A wise person without good deeds.
593 A proud poor person [Sirach 25:2].
594 An oppressive rich person.
595 A bishop without understanding.
596 Brothers without love.
597 A household without justice.
598 A parish without learning.
599 A wealthy person without almsgiving.
600 A teacher without patience.
601 A bard without distinction.
602 A household without order.
603 A nation without knowledge.
604 A country without law.
605 Law without mercy.
606 A neighbourhood without peace.
607 Children without obedience.
608 Common people without love.
609 A court without generosity.
610 A feast without songs.
611 An assembly without signs of rank.
612 A scholar without inspiration.
613 A Christian without privileges.
614 A stranger without welcome.
615 A city without chief dignitaries.
616 A meeting without reminders.
617 A session without customs.
618 A man without accomplishments.
619 A house without light.
620 An orchard without apples.
621 A garden without herbs.
622 A friend without good qualities.
623 A prudent person without counsels.
624 A retinue without destinies.
625 Speech without reflection.
626 Judgement without evidence.
627 A man without virtues.
628 Wisdom without boldness, which is like a sword in the hand of a man weak from paralysis.
629 Boldness without wisdom, which is like a sword in the hand of a madman.
630 And so it ends.
631 Catwg the Wise sang it.
632 Here Are the Counsels Which Catwg the Wise Gave to Arawn son of Cynfarch, King of the North, When He Released Him from His Youth.
633 Turn a deaf ear to every evil tongue, Turn your back on every evil deed. Turn a closed eye to every deformity, Turn your sight and your heart to every beauty. Turn your open hand to every poverty, Turn your mind to every generosity. Turn your judgement to the counsels of the wise, Turn your course to divine things. Turn your diligence towards every goodness, Turn all your inspiration towards excellence. Turn your understanding to understanding yourself. Turn all your knowledge in harmony with nature. Turn all your qualities towards what is blessed, Turn your courage and all your strengths towards God the Lord.
634 Catwg the Wise sang it.
635 Here Are the Thoughts of Catwg the Wise.
636 The oldest the man, the worse his feats, The greater the power, the less the will, The greater the haste, the greater the hindrance, The greater the hatred, the greater the shame, The higher the climb, the more dangerous the fall, The fairest the morning, the ugliest the evening, The greater the boasting, the greater the lie, The fairest the man, the more decay awaits him, The deepest the river, the least of all its noise, The lowest the heart, the highest it will be for the soul, The wisest the man, the humblest his accomplishment, The poorest the godly person, the best will be his virtue, The cleverest the man, the rarest his words, The fairest the play, the best ever is to leave it, The most generous the giver, the greatest ever his gain, The greater the truth, the greatest of all will be its worth, The most rightful the work, the most rightful altogether the end, The narrowest with man, the broadest with God [Matthew 19:26].
637 Catwg the Wise sang it.
638 Counsels Which Catwg the Wise Gave to Asswr son of Cynhaiarn.
639 Do not be like the dog among your companions, Do not be like a cow in your herd. Do not be like a serpent in your shelter, Do not be like a wolf towards your neighbour. Do not be like a cat in your bosom, Do not be like a sow in your bed. Do not be like the sea in your breast, Do not be like a woman in your conduct.
640 Catwg the Wise sang it.
641 Other Counsels Which Catwg the Wise Gave to the Same Man.
642 Accuse yourself and not another, Humble yourself and not another, Teach yourself before you teach another, Know yourself before knowing another, Reprove yourself, do not reprove another, Do good to yourself, if you would do good to another, If you see yourself as more foolish than another, You may become wiser than another.
643 Catwg the Wise sang it.
644 Other Counsels of Catwg the Wise to the Same Man.
645 Do not be surly, nor idly wicked, And do not love getting drunk, as a fool does. Do not love women whose deeds are wanton, Avoid swearing and every coarse word [Matthew 5:34; James 5:12]. Be generous where there is cause, Do good, and do it without delay. Do not seek gain, nor take too much, And be at peace with your neighbours. Always seek to conduct yourself blamelessly, In every situation while you are in it. Give yourself wholly to God throughout your life [James 4:7], And think how it will come in the end [Sirach 7:36].
646 Catwg the Wise sang it.
647 Here Are the Virtues Which Catwg the Wise Showed to Taliesin, Chief of Bards, as He Was Parting from Him
648 Silence is the mother of all prudence, Patience is the mother of all wisdom. Judgement is the mother of all knowledge, Order is the mother of all providence. Need is the mother of every skill, Virtue is the mother of all blessedness. Endeavour is the mother of every excellence, Inspiration is the mother of all poetry. Consideration is the mother of all understanding, Lack of consideration is the mother of all errors. Practice is the mother of all mastery, Strength is the mother of all victory. Conscience is the mother of all mercy, Love is the mother of all godliness.
649 Catwg the Wise sang it.
650 Others to the Same Man, Namely the Accomplishments That Belong to a Man.
651 To be wise in his disputation.
652 To be a lamb in his chamber.
653 To be a lion in conflict and battle.
654 To be a peacock on the road.
655 To be a bard at his feast.
656 To be a teacher in his household.
657 To be a counsellor in his nation.
658 To be an arbiter in his commote.
659 To be a hermit in his church.
660 To be a lawgiver in his country.
661 To be conscientious in his deed.
662 To be blessed in his life.
663 To be diligent on his farmstead.
664 To be just in what he does.
665 To do what he does according to God’s will.
666 Catwg the Wise sang it.
667 Strengths of Catwg the Wise.
668 The strength of learning is its endeavour, The strength of a teacher is his distinction, The strength of a wise person is his judgement, The strength of a prudent person is his reflection, The strength of skill is its knowledge, The strength of a brave person is his courage, The strength of a host is his courtesy, The strength of a stranger is his peacefulness, The strength of a bard is his inspiration, The strength of a householder is his diligence, The strength of a just person is his conscience, The strength of a blessed person is his patience, The strength of a godly person is his God.
669 Catwg the Wise sang it.
670 Qualities of Catwg the Wise.
671 Justice does not hinder peace, Reproof does not hinder love, Judgement does not hinder charity, Love does not hinder prudence, Bravery does not hinder mercy, Godliness does not hinder joy.
672 Catwg the Wise sang it.
673 Nothings.
674 There is no strength but freedom, No freedom but love, No love but choice, No choice but understanding, No understanding but ability, No ability but knowledge, No knowledge but truth, No truth but steadfastness, No steadfastness but the unchangeable, Nothing unchangeable but God.
675 Catwg the Wise sang it.
676 Another Way on the Same Theme.
677 There is no strength but freedom, No freedom but love, No love but choice, No choice but ability, No ability but knowledge, No knowledge but understanding, No understanding but consideration, No consideration but perception, No perception but truth, No truth but steadfastness, No steadfastness but the unchangeable, Nothing unchangeable but God, No God but strength, etc. etc.
678 Catwg the Wise sang it.
679 Other Nothings.
680 There is no prosperity but living, No living but a home, No home but a household, No household but self-maintenance, No self-maintenance but possession, No possession but property, No property but God’s property, God’s property is not denied, God’s property exists only for the one who asks it, No asking for it except from need, No need but nature, No nature but goodness, No goodness but God’s will, No God’s will but justice, No justice but love.
681 Catwg the Wise sang it.
682 Others.
683 There is no country without a nation, No country without law, No country without privilege, No country without cultivation, No country without faith, No country without arts, No country without wise people, No country without teachers, No country without protection, No country without religion, No country without godliness, No country without God as its head.
684 Catwg the Wise sang it.
685 Others.
686 There is no steadfastness but law, No law but counsel, No counsel but wise people, No wise people but learning, No learning but understanding, No understanding but what is right, No right but love, No love but that which cannot be overcome.
687 Catwg the Wise sang it.
688 Others.
689 There is no living without possession, No possession without a country, No country without a home, No home without a household, No household without a wife, No wife without children, No children without obedience, No obedience without learning, No learning without a teacher, No teacher but a father, No father but one who is blessed, No blessed person but one who is wise, No wise person but one who is just, No just person but one who loves, No love but God.
690 Catwg the Wise sang it.
691 Others.
692 There is no nobility but knowledge, No wealth but knowledge, No wisdom but knowledge, No dignity but knowledge, No honour but knowledge, No strength but knowledge, No kinsman but knowledge, No friend but knowledge, No beauty but knowledge, No refuge but knowledge, No possession but knowledge, No understanding but knowledge, No ease but knowledge, No privilege but knowledge, No fair ornament but knowledge, No blessedness but knowledge, No justice but knowledge, No blessed person but knowledge, No strong person but knowledge, No goodness but knowledge, No overcoming but knowledge.
693 Catwg the Wise sang it.
694 Nothings of Brotherhood.
695 There is no country but the people, No people but brotherhood, No strength but brotherhood, No protection but brotherhood, No defence but brotherhood, No completeness but brotherhood, No fellowship but brotherhood, No assembly but brotherhood, No choir but brotherhood, No support but brotherhood, No mutual aid but brotherhood, No common prosperity but brotherhood, No shared dwelling but brotherhood, No host but brotherhood, No joint labour but brotherhood, No common service but brotherhood, No shared burden but brotherhood, No communion but brotherhood, No counsel but brotherhood, No shared discourse but brotherhood, No united strength but brotherhood, No mutual strength but brotherhood, No meeting but brotherhood, No agreement but brotherhood, No concord but brotherhood, No unity but brotherhood, No common privilege but brotherhood, No companion but brotherhood, No memory but brotherhood, No cohabitation but brotherhood, No mutual acceptance but brotherhood, No sharing but brotherhood, No common rank but brotherhood, No wealth but brotherhood, No peace but brotherhood, No common measure but brotherhood, No mutual help but brotherhood, No truth but brotherhood, No retinue but brotherhood, No law but brotherhood, No nation but brotherhood, No Welsh people but brotherhood.
696 Catwg the Wise sang it.
697 Other Nothings.
698 It is not easy to teach a fool, It is not easy to instruct the unruly, It is not easy to make the false merciful, It is not easy to strengthen oppression, It is not easy to move love, It is not easy to overcome natural disposition, It is not easy to resist necessity, It is not easy to change nature, It is not easy to shift inspiration, It is not easy to erase love, It is not easy to make peace with hatred, It is not easy to avoid evil, It is not easy for evil to come from goodness, It is not easy to shame the just, It is not easy to enchant the prudent, It is not easy to corrupt the true, It is not easy to anger the blessed, It is not easy to appease the angry, It is not easy to drive prudence into the wicked, It is not easy to frighten the brave, It is not easy to put trust in the cowardly, It is not easy to persuade the ignorant, It is not easy to understand deceit, It is not easy to adorn the proud, It is not easy to shut out what everyone knows, It is not easy to win an enemy, It is not easy to doubt the truth, It is not easy to appease envy, It is not easy to silence conscience, It is not easy to silence the truth, It is not easy to dishearten the godly, It is not easy to make sport of the obstinate, It is not easy to corrupt the blessed, It is not easy to force what is desired upon the wise, It is not easy except to conform oneself to goodness, It is not easy except to obey God, It is not easy to deceive God.
699 Catwg the Wise sang it.
700 Another of the Same Kind.
701 It is not easy to know the whole, It is not easy to doubt the truth, It is not easy to strengthen a lie, It is not easy to make justice fruitless, It is not easy to see far, It is not easy to perceive what will be, It is not easy to hate original sin, It is not easy to satisfy everyone, It is not easy to call yesterday back, It is not easy to endure oppression, It is not easy to halt time, It is not easy to uproot love, It is not easy to erase love, It is not easy to move faithfulness, It is not easy to corrupt truthfulness, It is not easy to appease greed, It is not easy to quiet envy, It is not easy to drive prudence into the proud, It is not easy to persuade a fool, It is not easy to instruct the ignorant, It is not easy to understand deceit, It is not easy to frighten the brave, It is not easy to encourage the cowardly, It is not easy to bring sense to the unruly, It is not easy to civilise the wicked, It is not easy to anger the blessed, It is not easy to order the untaught, It is not easy to teach the witless, It is not easy to overcome the wise, It is not easy to dissolve natural disposition, It is not easy to change nature, It is not easy to resist necessity, It is not easy to shift inspiration, It is not easy to make peace with hatred, It is not easy to shame the blessed, It is not easy to deny what everyone knows, It is not easy to shut out conscience, It is not easy to bring disgrace upon goodness, It is not easy to dishearten the godly, It is not easy except to do good, It is not easy except to please God, It is not easy to escape from evil, It is not easy to deceive God.
702 Catwg the Wise sang it.
703 Others.
704 There is no displeasure but remorse, No remorse but remorse from displeasure, No remorse from displeasure but repentance, There is no repentance at the hour of death except displeasing God.
705 Catwg the Wise sang it.
706 Others.
707 There is no countryman without dignity, No dignity without nobility, No nobility without learning, No learning without manners, No manners without courtesy, No courtesy without mercy, No mercy without justice, No justice without obedience, No obedience without godliness, No godliness without love, No love but God.
708 Catwg the Wise sang it.
709 Others.
710 There is no delight but companionship, No companionship but courtesy, No courtesy but comeliness, No comeliness but seemliness, No seemliness but obedience, No obedience but humility, No humility but love, No love but that which hates pain for any living thing that exists.
711 Catwg the Wise sang it.
712 Others.
713 There is no knowledge without seeing, No seeing without inspiration, No inspiration without its practice, No practice without love, No love except from prudence, No prudence except consideration, No consideration except upon goodness, There is nothing except from God, therefore No knowledge except from God, No inspiration except from God, No prudence except from God, No goodness except from God, Nothing exists except what is from God.
714 Catwg the Wise sang it.
715 Others.
716 No one is prudent except he who listens to counsel, No one has judgement except he who knows counsel, No one is wise except he who seeks counsel, No one has understanding except he who considers counsel, It is not easy to give counsel, Little counsel is complete, One counsel is not often fitting, No one is overbearing except he who does not respect counsel.
717 Catwg the Wise sang it.
718 Others.
719 There is no being but God, No life but God, No good but God, No wisdom but God, No knowledge but God, No power but God, No love but God, No justice but God, No omniscience but God, No strength but God, No endlessness but God, No judgement but God’s judgement, No lord but God, No everlasting but God, No immeasurable but God, No totality but God, No sufficiency but God, Nothing but God.
720 Catwg the Wise sang it.
721 Others.
722 There is no strength but God, No life but God, No support but God, No sustainer but God, No refuge but God, No kinsman but God, No friend but God, No keeper but God, No one near but God, No one everywhere but God, No one who knows the whole but God, No one who judges justly but God, No one who does what he wills but God, No obtaining except obtaining God, No hope except in God, No deliverance but God, Nothing except in God.
723 Catwg the Wise sang it.
724 Others.
725 It is not easy to shift inspiration, It is not easy to change nature, It is not easy to overcome natural disposition, It is not easy to strip nature of its age, It is not easy to silence conscience, It is not easy to doubt the truth, It is not easy to uphold a lie, It is not easy to frighten the brave, It is not easy to encourage the cowardly, It is not easy to persuade the ignorant, It is not easy to oppose what everyone knows, It is not easy to appease envy, It is not easy to drive prudence into the wicked, It is not easy to corrupt the blessed, It is not easy for lineage to decline, It is not easy to defame love, It is not easy to resist love, It is not easy to hinder justice, It is not easy to prevail over skill, It is not easy for knowledge to fail, It is not easy to call evil back, It is not easy to stop goodness, It is not easy to get fair value from greed, It is not easy for the wise to be oppressive, It is not easy to teach the proud, It is not easy to shame the blessed, It is not easy to disgrace the godly, It is not easy to force what is desired upon the wise, It is not easy to bring sense to the foolish, It is not easy to falsify the senses, It is not easy to hide from time, It is not easy to escape from the final hour, It is not easy to deny sins, It is not easy to avoid judgement, It is not easy to deceive God.
726 Catwg the Wise sang it.
727 Others.
728 No one is brave except he who overcomes himself, No one is strong except he who is stronger than himself, No one is knowing except he who knows himself, No one is a ruler except he who rules himself, No one is watchful except he who watches over himself, No one avoids danger except he who guards against himself, No one overcomes except he who overcomes himself, No one keeps himself safe except he who keeps himself safe from himself, No one is understanding except he who understands himself, No one is wise except he who sees his own folly, No one is prudent except he who considers himself, No one is a teacher unless he teaches himself, No one is a friend except he who is a friend to himself, No one is anyone’s enemy but himself, No fault exists except what a person allows in himself, No knowledge exists but a person’s own conscience, No order exists except what a person orders in himself, Nothing is right except what a person makes right in himself, Nothing stands before God except what a person is in himself.
729 Catwg the Wise sang it.
730 Others.
731 Nothing is right but justice, Nothing is good but justice, Nothing is beautiful but justice, Nothing is strong but justice, Nothing is enduring but justice, Nothing is true but justice, Nothing is successful but justice, Nothing is privilege but justice, Nothing is free but justice, Nothing is rightful claim but justice, Nothing is law but justice, Nothing is endless but justice, Nothing is sufficient but justice, Nothing is chief over all things but justice, Nothing is justice but God.
732 Catwg the Wise sang it.
733 Others.
734 No one is wealthy except the one whom God endows, No one is safe except under God’s protection. No one is poor except the one hated by God, No gift exists except God’s free bounty, No one is wise except from God’s teaching, No one is blessed except the one who is for God, No gain exists except God’s will, Nothing is enough but God.
735 Catwg the Wise sang it.
736 Completenesses.
737 The fullest power is God’s power, The fullest knowledge is God’s knowledge, The fullest will is God’s will, The fullest protection is God’s protection, The fullest love is God’s love, The fullest work is God’s work, The fullest anger is God’s anger, The fullest blow is God’s blow, The fullest judgement is God’s judgement, The fullest vengeance is God’s vengeance, The fullest reward is God’s reward.
738 Catwg the Wise sang it.
739 Surpassings.
740 Truth is stronger than strength, A covenant is stronger than law, The one who seeks is stronger than the one who keeps, The one who loves is stronger than the one who hates, Pride is stronger than violence, Nature is stronger than learning, Inspiration is stronger than a teacher, Natural disposition is stronger than prudence, Prudence is stronger than battle, A weak lord is stronger than a strong servant, A country is stronger than a lord, Love is stronger than a giant, Endeavour is stronger than trust, Fate is stronger than preparation, God is stronger than evil hope.
741 Catwg the Wise sang it.
742 Other Surpassings.
743 Praise is stronger than virtue, Prudence is stronger than deceit, Truth is stronger than strength, Justice is stronger than violence, God is stronger than anything.
744 Catwg the Wise sang it.
745 Thoughts.
746 Adversity brings learning, Learning brings knowledge, Knowledge brings wisdom, Wisdom brings judgement, Judgement brings conscience, Conscience brings goodness, Goodness brings godliness, Godliness brings eternal life.
747 Catwg the Wise sang it.
748 Two-Parts.
749 The beginning is two parts of the work, Preparation is two parts of the journey, Knowing the road is two parts of the way, Endeavour is two parts of achievement, Diligence is two parts of success, Blessedness is two parts of godliness, Obedience is two parts of blessedness, Its customs are two parts of a town, Going far is two parts of praise, Praise is two parts of inspiration, Practice is two parts of respect, Self-adornment is two parts of beauty, Learning is two parts of nobility, Confidence is two parts of learning, Will is two parts of gift, Courtesy is two parts of giving, Utterance is two parts of song, Manners are two parts of honour, Its secret is two parts of skill, Practice is two parts of natural disposition, Love is two parts of goodness, What is in the heart is two parts of what shall be.
750 Catwg the Wise sang it.
751 In-Everies of Catwg the Wise.
752 In every goodness there is its reward, In every evil there is its penalty, In every anger there is sin, In every passion there is lust, In every person there is inspiration, In every inspiration there is excellence, In every hatred there is enmity, In every excess there is pride, In every necessity there is hardship, In every greed there is theft, In every belief there is falsehood, In every knowledge there is truth, In every common custom there is right, In every secrecy there is shame, In every silence there is wisdom, In every choice there is constraint, In every constraint there is learning, In every craft there is art, In every art there is mystery, In every sickness there is decay, In every war there is care, In every sin there is folly, In every deceit there is a plot, In every anger there is sorrow, In every hidden thing there is deceit, In every pride there is sin, In every country the brave are raised, In every forgiveness there is love, In every love there is God.
753 Catwg the Wise sang it.
754 Others of the Same Kind.
755 In every person there is a soul, In every soul there is understanding, In every understanding there is thought, In every thought there is some evil or good, In every achievement there is endeavour, In every endeavour there is diligence, In every diligence there is gain, In every gain there is honour, In every honour there is dignity, In every dignity there is privilege, In every privilege there is duty, In every duty there is deliverance, In every deliverance there is goodness, In every goodness there is love, In every love there is God.
756 Catwg the Wise sang it.
757 Bests.
758 The best of the powers is the senses, The best of the senses is understanding, The best of understanding is judgement, The best of judgement is choice, The best of choice is wealth, The best of wealth is wisdom, The best of wisdom is goodness, The best of goodness is love, The best of love is peace, The best of peace is the peace of God.
759 Catwg the Wise sang it.
760 Excepts.
761 Except for God, there is no one who knows, Except for God, there is no power, Except for God, there is no justice, Except for God, there is no love, Except for God, there is no strength, Except for God, there is no purpose, Except for God, there is no will, Except for God, there is no origin, Except for God, there is no covenant, Except for God, there is no protection, Except for God, there is no hope, Except for God, there is no trust, Except for God, there is no support, Except for God, there is no deliverance, Except for God, there is no life, Except for God, there is nothing.
762 Catwg the Wise sang it.
763 Triads of Catwg the Wise
764 Three people who are hard to believe: a traveller from afar, the reader of a foreign-language book, and one who is older than his neighbours.
765 Three fears that strengthen a person’s heart: fear of telling all that he hears from another, fear of misfortune, and fear of angering God.
766 Three fears that weaken a person’s heart: fear of telling the truth, fear of miserable poverty, and fear of the devil.
767 Three things the blessed will have: perfect love, a peaceful life, and heavenly joy.
768 Three blessed kingdoms: a good word in the world, a joyful conscience, and a firm hope in the world to come.
769 Three things the wicked and unhappy will have: poverty, a bad name, and pain of conscience.
770 Three things the erring will have: shame, loss, and mockery.
771 Three things the humble will have: abundance, joy, and the love of their neighbours.
772 Three things that come from rising early: health, wealth, and holiness.
773 Three things the sleeper will have: shame, sickness, and misfortune.
774 Three things the truthful will have: gift, respect, and prosperity.
775 Three things the untruthful will have: a bad world, a bad name, and a bad end.
776 Three things the patient will have: love, peace, and blessedness in every opposition.
777 Three things the contentious will have: contention, shame, and disrespect.
778 Three things the merciful will have: gift, love, and the mercy of God [Matthew 5:7].
779 Three things that come from long following evil: hunger, prison, and hell.
780 Three things the godly will have: worldly sufficiency, peace of conscience, and heavenly joy.
781 Three things every person ought to consider: where he came from, where he is, and where he is going.
782 Three companions of the devil: pride, envy, and violence.
783 Three inequalities of the world: beauty, love, and need.
784 Three gluttons of the world: the sea, a lord, and a city.
785 Three people who easily bring their disputes to an end: the generous, the wise, and the wealthy.
786 Three supports of a person’s life: hope, love, and joy.
787 Three fosterers of pride: presumption, wealth, and excess.
788 Three victories of the wise: dignity, faith, and praise.
789 Three things with too much right in them: whispering to the deaf, longing for the dead, and counselling a woman against her will.
790 Three things of which a person never sees half enough: life, health, and wealth.
791 Three kinds of goods there are, and one will be no better for them: what is gained by perjury, what is gained by unjust pleading and against the just, and what is obtained as inheritance unless land is bought with it or children are kept at school.
792 Three things that strip bare wherever they come: water, fire, and the curse of God.
793 Three hatreds that will remain for ever: between a husband his stepchildren, between dogs and pigs, and between the Welsh and the English.
794 Three things one must wait long for before they are found: truthfulness from greed, wisdom from pride, and wealth from idleness.
795 Three foundations of wisdom: sense to learn, memory to keep, and fitness to recount.
796 Three oppressors of the wise: a wife, the devil, and an evil nature.
797 Three boasts of a fool: boasting of wantonness, boasting of wealth, and boasting of nobility.
798 Three laughs of a fool: over good, over evil, and over what he knows nothing about.
799 Three things it is not very wise to do: ring a bell for the deaf, piss against the wind, and teach an old man.
800 Three things every idle person will have as his due: poverty, disrespect, and a weary conscience.
801 Three things a person gains from poverty: health, learning, and God’s protection.
802 Three things a person gains from gaining wealth: hatred between him and fire, hatred between him and himself, and hatred between him and God.
803 Three kinds of person there are: a person for man, a person for God, and a person for the devil: a person for man does good for good and evil for evil; a person for God does good for evil [Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:21]; a person for the devil does evil for good.
804 Three losses of the body that bring gain to the soul: losing a kinsman, losing health, and losing wealth.
805 Three kinds of lie there are: a lie in speech, which causes another to say what is not true; a lie in deed, which causes another to act against the truth; and a lie in appearance, or in conduct, which causes another to think and believe what is not true.
806 Three accursed people there are: one who breaks God’s commandment unrepentantly; one who knows nothing of good and does not seek to learn it; and one who knows much and does not show it to anyone else.
807 Three things one cannot do without: covering, permission, and pressure.
808 Three things better than wealth: health, freedom, and sense.
809 Three things a Christian ought to do: fear God more than anything, serve God before anyone else, and love God above all things [Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37].
810 Three things necessary for a sinner to do: acknowledge his sins, strive towards goodness, and guard himself against what would draw him to evil.
811 Three enemies of a Christian soul: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
812 Three medicines of the soul: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving [Tobit 12:8].
813 Three things without which no good can be done: truth, peace, and generosity.
814 Three small things that cause the loss of much: a little bad habit, a little error, and a little injustice.
815 Three counsels of speech: love your God, for he made you; hope in God, for he sustains you; and fear God, for he will judge you.
816 Three things joyful to see: a wicked person becoming blessed, a miser becoming generous, and a sinner becoming holy.
817 Three things a Christian ought always to remember, lest he sin mortally: God’s commandments, the joy of heaven, and the pains of hell.
818 Three things that signify that a person is saved: hating every evil, loving every good person, and seeking God in prayers.
819 Three things that belong especially to God: being almighty, all-wealthy, and all-merciful.
820 Three things that win the love of God: pure faith, strong hope, and unfeigned love.
821 Three things that compel people to pray to God: long sickness, long misfortune, and long sorrow.
822 Three things that worsen the world: idleness, pride, and necessity.
823 Three things that trouble the world: envy, anger, and greed.
824 Three things that exist, and nothing exists without them: the strength of almighty God, the love of all-merciful God, and the wisdom of all-knowing God.
825 Three things idleness teaches a person: thinking evil, speaking evil, and doing evil.
826 Three things hard for a true Christian to do: love evil, take pride in his good, and neglect his duty to God and man.
827 Three things that follow idleness: bad deeds, a bad name, and a bad end.
828 Three things good for a person: thinking well, speaking well, and doing well.
829 Three things a person cannot hide: great love, great hatred, and great wealth.
830 Three things that lead a person to poverty: games, gluttony, and whoring.
831 Three things a person gets from going to law: cost, worry, and trouble.
832 Three things hard for a person to do completely: know himself, overcome his desire, and keep his secret.
833 Three things that first deceive a person: fair words, desire for gain, and ignorance.
834 Three things most precious to a person: health, freedom, and virtue.
835 Three things excellent among worldly things: hating folly, loving virtue, and always seeking learning.
836 Three things against which a Christian must fight: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
837 Three things necessary for doing every work: knowledge of the way it is done, ability to do it, and will to bring it to completion.
838 Three things that keep a person in health: measured food, moderate labour, and natural warmth.
839 Three things that are good when they are moderate, and bad when they are immoderate: water, fire, and wind.
840 Three things a person is reluctant to leave: the country where he was born and raised, kinsfolk who have been true to him, and wealth that he has gathered by the labour of his own hands.
841 Three things that keep order and arrangement upon everything in the world: number, weight, and measure.
842 Three things that come upon a person without his knowing it: sleep, sin, and old age.
843 Three foundations of wisdom: youth fit for learning, a storehouse to keep what is learned, and prudent sense in the use of knowledge.
844 Three things a person ought to take care to do steadily: listen obediently, answer wisely, and appear knowledgeable.
845 Three things that win a good name for a person: saying little, doing good, and labouring.
846 Three bad qualities in a person: pride without generosity, greed without justice, and anger without mercy.
847 Three ways by which a person is known: his speech, his conduct, and his habits.
848 Three things hard for a person to do: cool fire, dry water, and satisfy the world.
849 Three things that make a man a leader over his neighbours: being wise, being generous, and being wealthy.
850 Three things that cause a man to have the love of his neighbours: being a peacemaker, being a helper, and being a guide.
851 Three unbecoming qualities in a person: being insistent in asking, hard in giving, and evil in suspicion.
852 Three praiseworthy things in a man: being wise in his speech, just in his deeds, and avoiding every excess.
853 Three things in the world that are remarkable because there is so much difference between them: people’s faces, people’s voices, and people’s writings.
854 Three things that never rest at any time in a person: the heart working, the breath moving, and the soul thinking.
855 Three kinds of people who are hard to find of the same mind: the prudent and the fool, the generous and the miser, and the truthful and the deceiver.
856 Three kinds of people who lose their composure like those out of their senses: hunters, gamblers, and fighters.
857 Three kinds of people who will have no regard for what is right and true: drunkards, perjurers, and traitors.
858 Three kinds of people who will have no fear of God: traitors, ravagers, and misers.
859 Three kinds of devilish people there are: traitors, plotters, and slanderers.
860 Three people who should not be invited into a house: a flattering deceiver, a mocking witness, and an envious traitor.
861 Three things not easy to get when they are desired: borrowing money from a usurer without interest, pleading a case in a court of law without a bribe, and a dinner of rich food in a miser’s house.
862 Three people hated by God and by man: a liar, a quarreller, and a cruel miser.
863 Three things necessary for a person who goes to a tavern: a strong head, a tough belly, and a heavy purse.
864 Three things a person gets in a tavern: amusement that makes him poor, merriment that makes him a sinner, and joy that makes him sad.
865 Three things that cause invitations to a person to increase: saying little, and what he says wisely and instructively; quiet cheerfulness without much talk about himself; and conducting himself without excess in everything.
866 Three things that cause a person to lose an invitation: eating too much, saying too much, and seeking too much.
867 Three fair and praiseworthy pursuits in a man: working his land, increasing his knowledge, and growing in virtue.
868 Three things that make a good writer: an everlasting memory of every excellent accomplishment and deed, giving visible instruction to the ages after him, and causing remembrance and praise for his name for ever.
869 Three things a good poet leaves behind him: a praiseworthy memory, comfort for the mind, and instruction for the knowledge-seeking.
870 Three things that remain after every good and virtuous person: a good word and name for himself; good instruction for his heirs and the place where he has been; and good conduct in everything he has handled in behaviour and deed.
871 Three things better than wealth that a blessed person leaves to his children and their heirs: instruction in judgement, instruction by example, and encouragement to do as he did, because of the respect and praise that are found for him.
872 Three things that make a person blessed: improving daily in his life, being always content with what is, and obeying God’s commandments without ceasing.
873 Three things from which heirs will be no better: the wealth of a cruel miser, the praise of tavern-friends, and the achievements of gaming.
874 Three things without which no one is a man: a wife, a home, and a craft.
875 Three pleasant things for a man to possess: a virtuous wife, an orderly house, and habitable land.
876 Three things that strengthen a man to enrich himself: a wife who gathers, a family without extravagance, and he himself a labourer.
877 Three things that make a man cheerful: his wife loving him, his endeavour prospering, and his conscience at ease.
878 Three things seen in the blessed: his family loving him, his goods increasing, and his God strengthening him.
879 Three praiseworthy things in a woman: her face being gracious, her speech being refined, and her habits being good.
880 Three things that cause a man to be held in high esteem: his wife being good in her accomplishments, his land being cultivated, and his qualities being virtuous.
881 Three things a man gets from his wife being virtuous and good in her accomplishments: his family obedient to him out of love, his children noble in their manners, and respect from his neighbours.
882 Three fitting things for a man to have in his house: his wife chaste, his family without reproach, and his harp in tune.
883 Three very comforting things for a man to have: his wife in his bed, his fire on his hearth, and his money in his purse.
884 Three things that make a man content with his dinner: his wife skilful, his food rich, and his stomach healthy.
885 Three pleasant things for a man at his dinner: a sharp knife, a pointed skewer, and a clean table.
886 Three pleasant things in a household: good order, good knowledge, and sufficient plenty.
887 Three things that make disorder in a house and household: the man drunk, the woman quarrelsome, and the children unruly.
888 Three things that cause a woman to be thought ill of: being eager to flirt with men and servants, being eager for delicacies, and speaking ill of her neighbours’ wives.
889 Three things that make a woman unchaste: the fairness of her face, folly in her head, and pride in her heart.
890 Three things that make a man needy: his wife luxurious, his family erring, and he himself extravagant.
891 Three things that do not bring a man great esteem: his wife a mistress, his house unheated, and his land untilled.
892 Three uneasy things for a man in his house: his wife quarrelling, his hearth dripping, and his chimney smoking.
893 Three things it is better for a man to be hanged than to possess: an untruthful family, disobedient children, and a drunken wife.
894 Three things that will make a person blessed in his world, if he has them: bodily health, a virtuous wife, and God’s free bounty.
895 And so it ends.
896 Here Are the Triads of the Good Wife.
897 A Good Wife Ought to Be:
898 Modest, unruined, and obedient.
899 Unwanton in her mind, unextravagant, and just in her intention.
900 One hand gathering, the other sharing, and her head taking thought.
901 Good in her conscience, gracious in her tongue, and true to her husband.
902 Humble in her heart, beautiful in her habits, and merciful towards the poor.
903 Compact in her work, skilful with her hands, and praying to God.
904 Loving in her conversation, fitting in her dress, and orderly in her house.
905 Swift of hand, swift of eye, and swift of understanding.
906 Shapely in her body, pleasant in her conduct, and pure in her heart.
907 Gracious in her countenance, understanding in her head, and knowledgeable.
908 Neighbourly, humble, and generous in her mind.
909 Wise in guiding, watchful against fault, and motherly in nurturing her children.
910 Loving her husband, loving peace, and loving God.
911 Content with whatever world there is, maintaining moderation in everything, and taking care to be just.
912 Aiming at the best, guarding against the worst, and seeing what is most right.
913 Giving food at its time, lying down with the sheep, and rising with the lark.
914 Patient, peaceable, and virtuous.
915 Noble in her manners, welcoming in her words, and Christian in her customs.
916 Moderate in her words, understanding times, and household-wise in her knowledge.
917 Wise in her joy, kindly in her reproof, and full of conscience in her religion.
918 Forgiving, peace-making, and truthful.
919 A keeper of her possession, a teacher to her children, and a physician to her household.
920 A silencer of quarrels, a spreader of knowledge, and giving the first place to every best thing.
921 Shaming the wicked, gladdening the blessed, and pleasing God.
922 And the woman who is like this will be loved by her husband her household, and by everyone who knows her, and by God: and blessed is the world of the man who has her.
923 Nevertheless:
924 There is a kind of woman who loves to go wherever she wishes, and to be believed in whatever she says, and to get whatever she seeks, and to do as she desires; may God deliver every man from her.
925 And too often such women are seen.
926 And so it ends.
927 “I would gladly know more than I know about you: tell me what kind of man you are”, said Taliesin to Catwg; and in answer to him Catwg said, “You ought to know more about me than I myself do, for you hear behind my back the thing that has never come to my ear about myself, and it is the country’s part to judge, and neither I nor anyone else knows the whole truth about himself”.
928 Other Triads of Catwg the Wise
929 Three godly accomplishments in a person: forgiving the wrong done to him, improving everything he can, and rejecting every unjust thing in person and deed.
930 In three things a person resembles God: justice, knowledge, and mercy.
931 Three things that cannot be stopped: time, breadth, and truth.
932 Three there are whose full worth can never be paid: parents, a good teacher, and God the Father.
933 Three of the best things in our possession that pride takes from us: our money, our time, and our conscience.
934 Three chief bad qualities in a person: sluggishness, deceit, and pride.
935 Three chief good qualities in a person: diligence, truthfulness, and humility.
936 Three chief godly qualities in a person: generosity, love, and forgiving the wrong he receives.
937 Three things God loves: fair counting, fair weight, and fair measure.
938 Three indispensable forms of knowledge for the wise: his God, himself, and the deceit of the world.
939 Three things every person ought to consider: from where he came into the world, for what purpose he came into the world, and to where he goes from the world, not knowing at what hour or moment.
940 Three things there are, and swift is the one who can walk with them: lightning, a person’s thought, and the help of God.
941 Three things that cannot be had: poverty from giving alms, wealth from theft, and wisdom from success.
942 Three people who will be according to God’s will: a truthful teacher, a good labourer, and an arbiter between disputes.
943 Three godly things among people: craft, labour, and scholarship.
944 Three ungodly things for a person to meddle with: the office of a lord, usury, and war.
945 Three things that are not found without each having its companion: day without night, idleness without hunger, and wisdom without respect.
946 Three things there are: counsel, loss, and shame; he who does not take the first will have the other two.
947 Three things not easy to number: the rays of light, the words of a talkative woman, and the deceits of a miser.
948 Three things that grow together: age, sin, and grief.
949 Three things by which a person is judged: his appearance, his covenant, and his speech.
950 Three things that are less than nothing: a woman without chastity, a man without knowledge, and a teacher without patience.
951 Three things are the portion of the wealthy: the more the greed, the more the care, and the less the enjoyment.
952 Three best things in the world for a person’s benefit: poverty, sickness, and children; for by having them one may know many truths that could not be known without them.
953 Three infallible physicians for every wound and sickness: nature, time, and patience.
954 Three things gained from poverty: health, judgement, and holiness.
955 Three things no better to have than to lose: misfortune, excessive breadth, and excessive dignity.
956 Three deformities of the world: a young person without manners, a woman without shame, and a man without conscience.
957 Three blessings of a wise man: fertile land, a chaste wife, and a fair son.
958 Three things no worse to be without than to possess: a blind eye, a pantry without food, and a storehouse without learning.
959 Three things by nature that lead their owners astray: youth, success, and ignorance.
960 Three unions of wisdom: generosity with wealth, knowledge with humility, and courage with mercy; and neither wise person nor man is found where these things are not united.
961 Three things that carry a man through the world: health, craft, and good accomplishments.
962 Three things a miser gets from his wealth: pain in gathering, anxiety in keeping, and fear of losing.
963 Three things that make their attack upon the weakest: an enemy, wealth, and pride.
964 Three things of which not half should be believed, however much is boasted of them: wealth, understanding, and goodness.
965 Three things of which you should not show the whole to anyone: what is in your chest, what is in your understanding, and what is in your thought; for by possessing, understanding, and thinking more and otherwise than another, greatness is judged in you.
966 Three things a prudent man does not show: the poverty of his purse, the poverty of his knowledge, and the poverty of his heart.
967 Three things that should be well bridled: a spirited young horse, a thoughtless young woman, and a talkative tongue.
968 Three things like one another: a fair barn without corn, a fair cup without drink, and a fair woman without her good name.
969 Three things from which it is easy to get a hundred troubles for one pleasure: hunting, war, and woman with woman.
970 Three things that drive a man from his house: a dripping hearth, a smoky chimney, and a scolding wife.
971 Three things of which the whole is not good: doing all that anger desires, believing all that a ruler says, and showing all that is known.
972 Three things great from the swelling of food upon blood: leech, whore, and warrior.
973 Three very good things as servants and very bad as masters: fire, water, and wind.
974 Three things that, though they get every day, seek without rest: the sea, a drunkard, and a miser.
975 Three things that turn the world upside down: the headship of a woman, the shamelessness of a daughter, and the ignorance of a son.
976 Three things that make a happy marriage: equal age, equal nobility, and equal possession.
977 Three people it is not prudent to believe: a stranger about his nobility, an old person praising the day that was long ago, and a man praising his own wisdom.
978 Three things upon which no seeking is seen except in great need: God, an old blind mare, and a privy.
979 Three things as shameful as one another: walking on head and hands, licking the dung from another’s backside, and being proudly wandering in search of worldly greatness.
980 Three things like one another: a bright sword that rusts from being kept long in its sheath, bright water that stinks from standing still too long, and wisdom that dies from long disuse.
981 Three charities to the age that is to come: planting trees, improving an art, and raising children to be merciful.
982 Three things that make fullness in a country: planting trees, working the land, and combing and spinning.
983 Three things that should chiefly be observed in everything: nature, appearance, and action.
984 Three things that cause health: moderate work, moderate food, and moderate cheerfulness.
985 Three foods of man that cause health, long life, and clear senses: grain-food, milk-food, and garden-food.
986 Three foods that cause sickness, short life, and dull senses: flesh-food, cooked food, and fermented-drink food.
987 Three qualities in a person that make him healthy and long-lived: working moderately, rising early, and innocent cheerfulness.
988 Three qualities in a person that cause short life and sickness: excessive labour, excessive morning sleep, and obstinacy.
989 Three frequent changes that cause long life: change of food, change of work, and change of amusement.
990 Three things which, if restored, lengthen a person’s life: the country that raised him as a child, the food that nourished him as a child, and the amusement that delighted him as a child.
991 Three little things at the time that do great good: a little eating and drinking, a little care, and a little tongue.
992 Three things good for a man who loves health: enough sleep in spring, enough food in summer, and enough fire in winter.
993 And so ends this section of the triads of Catwg the Wise.
994 Other Triads
995 Three worldly honours above all others: ploughing one’s father’s homestead, pleading a right well, and bringing children up in nobility.
996 Three things that only the blessed or the wise can avoid: fornication, drunkenness, and foolishness.
997 Three people to whom it is right to give food: a traveller, a light-bearer, and a labourer.
998 Three enemies of man: fire, water, and a lord.
999 Three chief joys of the blessed: chastity, peace, and steadfastness.
1000 Three chief joys of the wicked: gluttony, fighting, and instability.
1001 Three blessings that will let neither hunger nor nakedness come upon a person: the blessing of his father, the blessing of his rightful lord, and the blessing of a bard of hereditary song.
1002 Three other blessings that are better than all: the blessing of father and mother, the blessing of the sick and afflicted, and the blessing of a person in adversity.
1003 Three things that ennoble a man: a chaste and diligent wife, a diligent and blameless lord, and sincerity.
1004 Three things that bring a man low: bad land, a bad wife, and a bad lord over bad land.
1005 Three wars in peace: a bad wife, bad land, and a bad lord.
1006 Three supports of a man: hunting, ploughing land, and exchange.
1007 Three marks of a blessed principality: being good in its service, good in its nature, and good in its counsel; and that harmonises only with the religious or the noble.
1008 Three gluttons of the world: a king, the sea, and a city.
1009 Three things that fall upon a person without his knowing it: sleep, old age, and sin.
1010 Three sweet things of the world: failing, prospering, and sinning.
1011 Three strong things of the world: a lord, a dear one, and one who has nothing.
1012 Three things that cannot rightly be done without, however much evil they may do: fire, water, and a king.
1013 Three martyrdoms without killing: the generosity of a poor person, the chastity of a young person, and fair maintenance without wealth.
1014 Three things not easy to like: a slow greyhound, a joyless bard, and an ugly wife.
1015 Three people to whom one should be merciful: an exile, a widow, and a defenceless person.
1016 Three things for which thanks should be given, since that is so easy a payment for them: an invitation, a gift, and a warning.
1017 Three things that sustain long-lasting wickedness in a person: evil, an evil nature, and gluttony.
1018 Three strengths of blessedness in a person: good qualities, kindness, and patience.
1019 Three things that make an easy journey: light, dinner, and a good companion.
1020 Three signs of a difficult journey: shouting, bad weather, and fighting.
1021 Three equal fulnesses of blessedness: fair self-maintenance, successful pleading, and steadfast endurance.
1022 Three things beautiful in a person: knowledge, good accomplishments, and graciousness.
1023 Three things hateful in a person: ignorance, bad accomplishments, and repulsiveness.
1024 Three essentials of knowledge: a heart that thinks, language to express, and a storehouse to keep.
1025 Three chicks from the same nest: a farmer of the tongue, a bard of distinction, and an ungodly companion.
1026 Three things that fulfil their word unfailingly: death, God’s vengeance, and repentance.
1027 Three things that do not tolerate jesting: health, success, and time.
1028 Three things where there can never be holiness: flattery, pride, and greed.
1029 Three marks of holiness: perfect love, manly obedience, and maidenly silence.
1030 Three marks of a thief: an inquisitive tongue, a searching eye, and a frightening countenance.
1031 Three things that show truthfulness: a silent mouth, an unwandering eye, and a fearless face.
1032 Three essentials towards doing anything: knowledge, ability, and will.
1033 Three things the blessed will have: love, peace, and joy.
1034 Three things the wicked will have: wretchedness, conflict, and sadness.
1035 Three things it is manly to obey: the truth, the world to come, and the cock at daybreak.
1036 Three things hateful to God and man: a quarrelsome look, a deceitful tongue, and a wicked contempt.
1037 Three things it is not good to go about hastily: warring, feasting, and pleading.
1038 Three marks of wisdom: love of home, endeavour, and patience.
1039 Three things it is best to leave alone: a strange dog, a drunkard’s complexion, and one who is wise in his own eyes.
1040 Three beauties of a country: a barn, a smithy, and a school.
1041 Three things, despite their badness, that are better to have than to be without: a priest, a king, and a wife.
1042 Three misfortunes of a labourer: a wicked servant, mixed seed, and over-visible land.
1043 Three uncomfortable things: a house without a wife, a pantry without food, and a body without health.
1044 Three things in a person that please God: justice, mercy, and obedience.
1045 And so it ends.
1046 Catwg the Wise sang it.
1047 Here are Again the Triads of Catwg the Wise
1048 The Triads of Catwg son of Gwynllyw teach three things: the will of God, the welfare of humankind, and the improvement of knowledge and manners.
1049 The three faculties of a person: understanding, love, and light.
1050 The three pillars of a person’s life: hope, love, and joy.
1051 Three things a patient person obtains: the love of good people, the approval of his own conscience, and God’s grace.
1052 Three things a merciful person obtains: the love of the world, peace of heart and mind, and the approval of God.
1053 There are three punishments for sin: the punishment of the law of the land, the punishment of conscience, and the punishment of God.
1054 Three things a person obtains by believing in God: worldly sufficiency, peace of conscience, and heavenly joy.
1055 Three things that blind the world: deceit, supremacy, and oppression of man and human beings.
1056 Three things that lead the world astray: the promises of lords, the garments of monks, and a maiden’s manners.
1057 Three things that trouble the world: envy, falsehood, and greed.
1058 The three chief corruptions of the world: pride, gluttony, and idleness.
1059 Three things that strengthen a person to stand against the whole world: seeing the nature and beauty of truth, seeing beneath the cloak of falsehood, and seeing how truth and falsehood end.
1060 Three things a blessed person obtains: love, peace, and joy.
1061 Three things necessary for a sinner: acknowledging his sins, repenting, and striving to make proper amends for them.
1062 Three things, each of which is like the others: an old blind horse playing a harp with its hooves, a sow in a silk gown, and an unmerciful person discoursing about godliness.
1063 Three lessons idleness gives: to think evil, to speak evil, and to do evil.
1064 Three schools of the wise: conscience, prudence, and instruction.
1065 Three schools of the unwise: the punishment of the law, evil misfortune in life, and hell in the world to come.
1066 The three strengths of wisdom: memory, consideration, and practice.
1067 Three things unbecoming in a person: thinking himself wise, thinking another unwise, and thinking that he may do as he likes.
1068 Three small things that show much wisdom: a little pride, a little greed, and a little gossiping.
1069 Three noble things in a person: peaceableness, wisdom, and kindness.
1070 Three things whose loss is no worse than their keeping: wealth, youth, and the love of the world.
1071 Three things whose loss brings woe: the knowledge of wisdom, a clean conscience, and the love of God.
1072 Three things for which anyone who moves them is accursed: a boundary marker, the course of water, and a sign for a road and pathway. [Deuteronomy 27:17]
1073 Three things make a man foremost among his neighbours: possessions, knowledge, and generosity.
1074 Three things a diligent person obtains: precedence, wealth, and praise from the wise.
1075 Three things an upright person obtains: gift, respect, and prosperity.
1076 The three gains of a blessed person: the love of his country, secure peace, and heavenly joy.
1077 The three gains of a patient person: love, tranquillity, and support.
1078 The three beauties of the world: divinity, art, and good manners.
1079 Three things are in one person, and it is hard to find their equal harmony in another: face, speech, and understanding.
1080 There are three sources of knowledge: prudence, nature, and necessity.
1081 Three things a person who seeks instruction ought to do: listen closely, observe closely, and keep silence without interruption.
1082 There are three different kinds of person: a person of God, who does good for evil [Romans 12:21]; a person of man, who does good for good and evil for evil; and a person of the devil, who does evil for good.
1083 Three things a person has, and it is not easy to win him away from them: his belief, his poetic inspiration, and his nation.
1084 Three things a man obtains by travelling to a foreign country: hunger, cold, and mockery.
1085 The three measuring-rods of every person: his God, his devil, and his indifferent one.
1086 Three things that come from following evil: shame, loss, and punishment.
1087 Three things a person who receives a kindness ought to do: give thanks for it, remember it, and repay the favour.
1088 Three things everyone ought to do: listen obediently, answer wisely, and judge kindly.
1089 Three accomplishments that show wisdom: to endure wisely, to forgive wrong, and to seek knowledge.
1090 Three things that win a good name: speaking little, doing good, and labouring for sustenance.
1091 Three ways by which a person is known: his words, his habits, and his friends.
1092 Three things that keep the world in order: number, weight, and measure. [Wisdom 11:20]
1093 Three unbecoming qualities in a person: insistence in asking, hardness in giving, and thinking evil.
1094 Three things that keep the powers of the mind in health: measured nourishment, moderate labour, and conscientious joy.
1095 The three effects of counsel: bringing goodwill, freedom of speech, and knowledge concerning and relating to the matter.
1096 The three teachers of a person’s nature: inspired perception from gift and natural quality, prudence from consideration and conscience, and the accidents of the course of life; and without them right knowledge cannot be had.
1097 Three things hard to find: cold fire, dry water, and a godly greedy person.
1098 Three things hard to do: quench thirst with fire, dry what is wet with water, and satisfy the world.
1099 Three things that will not leave a person in hunger and poverty: the blessing of the poor and afflicted, the blessing of a rightful lord, and the blessing of a bard of hereditary song.
1100 Three excellent things in a person: courage, learning, and prudence.
1101 Three things which, through excessive use, shorten a person’s life: flesh-food, drunkenness, and excess with a woman.
1102 Three things which, when restored, lengthen a person’s life: the country that raised him as a child, the food that nourished him as a child, and the study that delighted him as a child.
1103 Three things better than wealth: health, freedom, and prudence.
1104 Three things that strengthen the mind and understanding: seeing much, considering much, and suffering much.
1105 Three things that strengthen the body: lying on a hard bed, cold open air, and dry food.
1106 Three things that can do everything, and without which nothing can be done: strength of body and mind, knowledge, and a woman of inspired prudence.
1107 Three things without which there can be no godliness from God: forgiving an enemy and a wrong, generosity in judgement and deed, and clinging to what is right, come what may.
1108 Three things an upright person obtains: prosperity, honour, and a good end.
1109 Three things a deceitful person obtains: misfortune, ill repute, and a bad end.
1110 Three things a godly person obtains: health, success, and honour.
1111 Three things a person obtains by rising early: bodily health, worldly wealth, and everlasting life.
1112 The three boasts of a fool: his wealth, his ancestry, and his vanity.
1113 Three things that may be boasted of in a wise person: his understanding, his skill, and his good qualities.
1114 The three laughs of a fool: at evil, at good, and at what he knows nothing about.
1115 Three things a careful person obtains: respect, abundance, and contentment.
1116 Three things an erring person obtains: shame, want, and grief.
1117 Three things that adorn the mind: hating foolishness, ready virtue, and a desire to learn.
1118 Three excellent things in a person: loving knowledge, doing good, and being just in whatever he does.
1119 The three deceits of a person: a fair word, desire for gain, and ignorance.
1120 Three people to beware of: the joyless person, the tale-bearer, and the one who laughs at evil.
1121 The three first-born twins of the devil: pride, falsehood, and envy.
1122 Three things a humble person obtains: ease of mind, the love of his neighbours, and divine inspired prudence.
1123 Three things a blessed person obtains: success, honour, and peace of conscience.
1124 Three things an unhappy person obtains: contempt, failure, and pain of mind.
1125 Three things that come from poverty: health, prudence, and the strength of God.
1126 Three things a godly person obtains: a good word, a good world, and a good end.
1127 Three people to whom one may not give too much credence: a traveller from afar, a reader of foreign-language books, and a man older than his neighbours.
1128 Three losses of the body that bring gain to the soul: losing wealth and possessions, losing bodily health, and losing kinsman and friend.
1129 The three counsels of Lazarus: love your God who made you out of nothing [2 Maccabees 7:28]; seek God, who bought you with the blood of his Son Jesus Christ [1 Peter 1:18-19]; and obey God, who will judge you through the word of his Son Jesus Christ [John 12:48].
1130 The three teachers of a person: one is experience, that is, instruction from seeing occasions; the second is understanding, and that comes from consideration and reflection; the third is natural inspiration from the gift of God in innate grace.
1131 The three chief duties of a person towards country and family: to gain possessions through diligence and uprightness; to seek the welfare of his country and nation in every task he undertakes; and to promote instruction in godliness for everyone wherever he goes.
1132 Three fears that strengthen a person’s heart: fear of believing all that he hears from another, fear of worldly success, and fear of displeasing God.
1133 Three fears that weaken a person’s heart: fear of telling the truth, fear of adversity, and fear of the devil.
1134 The three foundations of law and nature: order, justice, and peace.
1135 Three praiseworthy things in a man: wise speech, arranging things beautifully, and acting justly.
1136 A person’s three securities: health, freedom, and a good conscience.
1137 Three things hard for a person to do completely: to know himself, to overcome his desires, and to keep his secret.
1138 Three things that sustain a man in everything he does: loving what he does, knowing the way it should be done, and being just in the judgement of the conscience that does it.
1139 Three things a man obtains from his wealth of violence: hatred between him and others, hatred between him and himself, and hatred between him and God.
1140 Three noble things to see: a wicked person becoming godly, a miser becoming generous, and a sinner becoming devout.
1141 Three things that can come from rightful wealth: worldly sufficiency, brotherly almsgiving, and public good; and from these three comes the favour of heavenly God.
1142 Three things a fool calls imprudence: seeking knowledge come what may, giving charity without thinking of what may come, and suffering for truth and justice without fearing what may come.
1143 Three things that cannot be hidden: love, hatred, and inspired prudence.
1144 Three things easy to see where they are: wealth, knowledge, and courage.
1145 There are three kinds of falsehood: falsehood in word, which causes another to say the thing that is not true; falsehood in deed, which causes another to act in belief against what is true; and falsehood in conduct and appearance, which causes another to think and judge contrary to the truth.
1146 Three things that make a man cheerful: his wife loving him, his work prospering, and his conscience being according to the will of God.
1147 Three things a person ought always to keep before his eyes: his worldly duty, his conscience, and the laws of God.
1148 And so ends.
1149 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1150 Here are Again Various Triads
1151 Three things not easily restrained: the torrent of a waterfall, an arrow from a bow, and the tongue of a fool.
1152 Three things that do not last long: the heat of March, a rainbow, and the respect given to a jester.
1153 The three marks of a Christian: loving an enemy [Matthew 5:44], concealing the good he does [Matthew 6:3-4], and making peace between enemies [Matthew 5:9].
1154 Three teachings it is not wise to believe: one given by a man in support of what serves his own advantage and success, one given with hatred towards another, and one given by a man wise in his own eyes.
1155 Three people who are not greatly loved: the proud, the slothful, and the complaining.
1156 Three people easily dispensed with: one who does no good to anyone, one who brings joy to no one, and one who leaves gentleness to no one.
1157 The three chief qualities in a person of the devil: envious pride, greedy avarice, deceitful flattery.
1158 The three counsels of the yellow bird: do not grieve greatly over what is past, do not believe what cannot be, and do not desire what you cannot have.
1159 Three things that drive a man out of his house: smoke, a leaking roof, and a stubborn wife. [Proverbs 27:15]
1160 Three things that devastate the world: a foolish king in his counsel, a judge without conscience, and a fearless son.
1161 There are three true marks of a person of the devil, and he cannot disguise himself from them: his word, his look, and his compact.
1162 The three roots of every evil: greed, falsehood, and pride.
1163 Three qualities that cling to a person of the devil: greed, envy, and pride.
1164 Three things that soon come to an end: arrogance without dignity, strength without conscience, and wealth without justice.
1165 Three true marks in a person that show what he is: word, look, and conduct.
1166 The three counsels that Branwen daughter of Llŷr gave: do not bear grief over what is past, do not believe what cannot be, and do not seek what you cannot obtain.
1167 Three things that devastate the world: a foolish king without counsel, a judge without justice, and a servant seeking fear.
1168 Three things that do not last long: splendour without dignity, strength without conscience, and respect without deserving.
1169 Three people who will never be victorious: one who womanises according to the counsel of his flesh, one who feasts according to the counsel of his appetite, and one who fights according to the counsel of his anger.
1170 The three blessings of a household: an upright guardian, a careful shepherd, and a wise messenger.
1171 The three blessed accomplishments of a man: being cheerful in his house, being good in his church, and being a reconciler among his neighbours.
1172 Three things not easy to see: a proud person generous, a young person wise, and an old person modest.
1173 Three things that do no good to anyone: concealing vice, ruling an evil nature, and extinguishing evil thought.
1174 Three things a godly man obtains: worldly sufficiency, spiritual peace, and heavenly joy.
1175 Three things that make a person a devil: pride, envy, and theft.
1176 Three things of which a person who sees them will not have enough, however much he has: health, life, and wealth.
1177 Three people loved by God: the steadfastly just, the bravely merciful, and the ungrudgingly generous.
1178 Three things that distort just judgement: love of friends, fear of the powerful, and desire for worldly goods.
1179 The three gluttons of the world: the sea, a city, and a lord.
1180 Three things that will not end well for anyone who trusts in them: health in old age, fine weather in winter, and bliss from the things of the world.
1181 Three things that deceive those who trust in them: a lover’s promise, a churl’s faithfulness, and the season of youth.
1182 Three things in which there is nothing but deceit: a wanton woman, the innocence of lordship, and the godliness of a bedridden invalid.
1183 Three things that should not be believed: an old hag’s dream, a lover’s oath, and a tale without warrant.
1184 Three things a wretched miser obtains: pain in gathering, anxiety in keeping, and sorrow in losing.
1185 The three foundations of wisdom: learning in youth, memory in keeping, and sense in understanding.
1186 Three things that will never come to an end: flourishing charity, the soul of a person, and perfect love. [1 Corinthians 13:8]
1187 Three things that none but God knows: the beginning of every thing, the cause of every thing, and the end of every thing.
1188 Three holds there are on God: prudent understanding, patient love, and considerate conscience.
1189 The three chief gifts of God: inspiration, understanding, and grace.
1190 Three things that bring a person to God: patience, love, and conscience.
1191 The three chief qualities of godliness: understanding rightly, perfect love, and steadfast endurance.
1192 The three companions of wisdom: inspiration, consideration, and endeavour.
1193 The three faculties of wisdom: lessening wild anger, increasing peace, and improving laws.
1194 The three forerunners of wisdom: godly instruction, practical habit, and inspired love.
1195 Three signs of inspiration from God: wise conduct, striving for the better, and holding oneself to prudence.
1196 Three signs of wisdom: holding oneself to prudence, holding oneself to inspiration, and holding oneself to improvement.
1197 Three things that come from peace: increase of possessions, improvement of manners, and increase of knowledge.
1198 Three things in which smallness is no better than excess: feasting, wealth, and contentment.
1199 Three people who are best the farther away they are: a flattering traitor, a malicious slanderer, and a lying gossip.
1200 The three fellow-travellers on the high road to heaven: the patient poor person, the reflective wise person, and the forbearing improver.
1201 Three people are seen to have nothing but hatred while alive and praise when dead: a peaceable wise person, a truthful teacher, and a true reproving friend.
1202 Three signs of humanity: loving generosity, charitable conduct, and praiseworthy knowledge.
1203 Three things against which no one who goes will prosper: naturalness, necessity, and providence.
1204 The three wonders of the world: loving war more than peace, loving oppression more than fairness, and loving falsehood more than truth.
1205 Three things that should be considered in every person: strength, tendency, and usefulness.
1206 The three opposites of goodness: pride, anger, and greed.
1207 The three essentials of wisdom: understanding, consideration, and instruction.
1208 The three prerequisites of wisdom: godliness, peaceableness, and divinity.
1209 The three considerations of wisdom: necessity, manner, and benefit.
1210 Three things that shut out wisdom: pride, greed, and fearfulness.
1211 The three beauties of a country: intelligent labour, harmonious neighbours, and conscientious government.
1212 Three things that bring success and wealth: a man’s doing what he himself needs, instead of trusting another to do it; doing what can be done today, instead of delaying until tomorrow; and making prudent and thoughtful use of everything that comes before sense and understanding.
1213 There are three reasons for keeping silence: lest one say what should not be said, lest one say it in the way it should not be said, and lest one say it in the place it should not be said.
1214 There are three reasons for speaking, come what may: instruction against ignorance, counsel against doubt, and truth against shameful falsehood.
1215 Three things none but God alone can do: make what has never been before, know what will come, and judge the conscience.
1216 Three things that none but God knows: beginning, sustaining, and end.
1217 Three things best left to God: judgement, reward, and vengeance; for no one but he knows what is due of any one of the three. [Romans 12:19]
1218 From three things it will be known what has been, what is, and what will be: first, from living as justly as possible, in relation to striving with God; second, from being as free as possible from whatever would enslave you from God; third, from loving and hating the same things as God does. And from this you will see all truth, and all beauty, and all right, and all duty, and all loveliness, and all fitness, in the same nature as God sees them; and you will know what things will certainly happen, for nothing else can be than what God wills, each thing in its time, according as their natures and qualities were appointed; for in God is the power that can do them, and the knowledge that knows how to govern them, and love for every right thing that wills them, and does not permit otherwise.
1219 And so it ends.
1220 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1221 The Blue Treatise of Catwg the Wise
1222 Do good once, and you will do it a second time out of shame, and a third time from contentment, and a fourth time from love; and after love comes to you, you will do it for ever, for there can be no end to natural love: there is no death except lack of love.
1223 Whoever receives a good word once will desire to keep and maintain it; if he receives it a second time, he will rejoice because of it; if he receives it three times, he will love it; and from loving it, he will strengthen himself in its purpose; and strong from love is strong for ever.
1224 If you wish to turn a person away from his fault, give him a good word, and again and again; since no man is the better for being condemned, nor the worse for being praised, one whose satisfaction is in one thing and his desire in another is lost; whoever obtains his satisfaction in anything, whatever it may be, will keep it as long as it is possible for him; for a person seeks his satisfaction; for there is no life except satisfaction, and it is fitting for everyone to have his satisfaction.
1225 He who is called wise will seek to be wise, and if he seeks it he will succeed, and if he succeeds he will desire it, and if he desires it he will love it, and from loving it he will strengthen himself in it.
1226 He who is judged wise will strive to be wise; from striving comes obtaining, from obtaining hope, from hope renewed striving, from renewed striving prudence, and from prudence success; and strength and prosperity will not fail where hope, prudence, and endeavour pursue them.
1227 Where it is desired to promote goodness, let it be praised: praise brings consideration, consideration causes prudence, prudence causes love, love causes energy, energy succeeds, success brings joy, joy seeks to regain it, and regaining seeks the paths of obtaining; and of the same nature as this is the old proverb:
1228 There is no goodness but ability, No ability but action, No action but love, No love but praise, No praise but goodness.
1229 Praise does three things, namely: makes hope firm, prudence richly imaginative, and work easy.
1230 And by this let there be seen the way in which a teacher ought to proceed in his endeavour to teach and show good knowledge, and every truth, and every best thing, and every kind and form of goodness, namely, that he ought to:
1231 Show kind and virtue,
1232 Praise goodness,
1233 Stir up love,
1234 Strengthen hope,
1235 Make benefit clear,
1236 Imagine fitting means,
1237 Make understanding fruitful,
1238 Support prudence,
1239 Show what is just and unjust,
1240 Guide consideration,
1241 Make the work easy,
1242 Strengthen truth,
1243 Expose deceit,
1244 Understand his sufficiency and his satisfaction in these things,
1245 And be what he seeks in another in every way.
1246 And so ends the blue treatise: Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1247 The Uses of Catwg the Wise
1248 If your knowledge is true in sound testimony, never mind those who doubt you. If every endeavour and aim is wise, never mind those who mock you. If your judgement is wise from full, considered prudence, never mind those who judge against it. If your life is just and prudent, never mind those who reproach you. If every word and deed of yours is found right, never mind those who wonder at you. If you are seen to be happy in endurance, never mind those who despise you. If what is lawful is in your cell, never mind those who steal. If truth is on the front of your tongue, never mind those who call you a liar. If honour comes to you for the justice of your accomplishment, never mind those who slander you. If you are poor from giving alms and from prudence, never mind those who disparage you. If you suffer for the sake of pleasing your God, never mind those who despise you. If you are healthy in body and conscience, never mind those who nickname you. If the world is seen to be better from your involvement, never mind those who oppose you. If you are a walker along the roads of justice, never mind those who turn against you. If evil lies powerless beneath your feet, never mind those who reign. If your accomplishments are honoured by the household of heaven, never mind those who dishonour you. If you gather inspired learning with all your strength, never mind those who reason against you. If you are a friend of a peaceful, clean conscience, never mind those who leave you. If hope meets you at your day and your hour, never mind those who hinder you. If your heart is joyful according to the will of God the strong, never mind those who entangle you. If you are great in the sight of God, the Lord and Father, never mind those who make you small. If angels are your protection by day and night, never mind those who persecute you. [Psalm 91:11] If God in every circumstance is on your side, never mind those who oppose you. [Romans 8:31] If in the end you receive the land of heaven as your portion, never mind those who despoil you.
1249 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1250 Here are the Best Things Attributed to Catwg the Wise in Some Books, and to Cedifor the Bard in Another Book: Let Whoever Finds a Place Search
1251 The best thing with alms is to give them in secret, [Matthew 6:3-4] The best thing with a woman is for her evil to be hidden, The best of games is to give up the whole of it, The best of every gain is to regain yourself, The best of men is the one easiest in his conduct, The best of women is the one shortest in her tongue, The best thing for a young man is to take counsel with his teacher, The best thing for a young woman is to be silent in conduct, The best of champions is the one least troublesome, The best courtesy is conduct in beauty, The best of all games is to leave the skin at home, The best thing for a countryman is to have it in his dwelling, The best neighbour is an undisturbing neighbour, The best thing for a teacher is to agree with his teaching, The best work of a Christian is to devote himself to justice, The best disposition is a disposition of gentleness, The best nobleman is a humble nobleman, The best thing in adventure is to venture boldly. The best delight is the song of birds at morning, The best fellowship is to share confidence with the blessed, The best craft is to labour on the face of the earth, The best wisdom is speechless wisdom, The best work of one day is to give food to the hungry, The best faculty is merciful kindness, The best work of falsehood is to consider its purpose, The best knowing is to know yourself, The best deeds are deeds of mercy, The best work of consideration is right consideration of the end, The best of all possessions is to possess a skilled hand, The best treasure is the treasures of knowledge, The best of all gathering is to gather knowledge, The best work of reflection is to make qualities godly, The best courage is to subdue its pride, The best of all conduct is conduct without violence, The best conquering is to conquer peace, The best of all understanding is to understand truth, The best of all inspiration is natural uprightness, The best diligence is to abstain prudently, The best work of sense is sincere self-discipline, The best of all temperance is to abstain from greed, The best of all avoidance is to avoid avarice, The best of all wealth is the wealth of conscience, The best godliness is godliness from religion, The best of the best things is to satisfy God the Lord.
1252 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1253 Distinguished Negatives
1254 No ability but strength to practise it, No good is anything that is not accepted. No wisdom without foreknowledge, No knowledge without showing a mark. No one is brave but one who strikes, No one is wise but the brave one who refrains. No instruction without wisdom, No prudence but uprightness, No self-maintenance without thrift, No religion but conscience. No thrift but justice, No conscience but goodness. No goodness but from intention, No intention but from love. No love but free obedience, No obedience but to God, the Lord and Father. No loving God but keeping his commandment, [John 14:15] No true truth but believing and following it.
1255 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1256 The Beautiful Things of Catwg the Wise
1257 The beauty of a son is his gentleness, The beauty of a daughter is her modesty. The beauty of a man is his wisdom, The beauty of a wife is her faithfulness. The beauty of a household is good manners, Beautiful in every man is skill. Beautiful in the old is their knowledge, Beautiful in the young are pure accomplishments. Beautiful in a leader is consideration, Beautiful in a teacher is instruction. The beauty of speech is a gentle voice, Beautiful for everyone is living at home. Beautiful in a friend is uprightness, Beautiful in a neighbourhood is unity. The beauty of song is its truth, Beautiful in the godly is a pure life. Beautiful in a lord is generosity, Beautiful in every person is goodness. Beautiful in a king is justice, Beautiful in a countryman is courage. The beauty of a church is its virtues, The beauty of a court is the benefit of its ordinances. The beauty of a country is pure customs, The beauty of a nation is its wise people. The beauty of a dwelling is its manners, The beauty of learning is clear distinctions. The beauty of the blessed is holiness, Beautiful in every poor person is contentment. The beauty of inspiration is its vivacity, The beauty of everything is its quality. The beauty of wisdom is its patience, Beautiful above every beauty is peace.
1258 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1259 The Fillers of Catwg the Wise
1260 The inspired person fills his understanding with knowledge, The skilled person fills his memory with distinctions, The natural person fills his desire and his affections, The gluttonous person fills his belly with every luxury, The diligent person fills his barns with corn, The thrifty person fills his cell with necessities, The generous person fills the hungry with food, The godly person fills his prudence with virtues.
1261 The wicked person fills his country with the reproach of all wise people, The good person fills the world with his praise all around. The wise person fills his mind with faithful prudence, The peaceable person fills his country with godly people. The miser fills his chest with enough gold, The devil fills hell with misers. The blessed person fills his heart with every goodness, God fills his heavens with the blessed.
1262 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1263 The Wishes of Catwg the Wise
1264 May wicked men be to me, And every unchristian soul, Enemies to the very end.
1265 May there be no peace between me And the enemies of the King of heaven, And those who do not love his saints.
1266 May there be no place while I live for my betrayal; May a wicked son be my friend; May all others obtain their desire.
1267 May I be a living friend to every natural quality, In the form of a saint, for God praises them; May he be to me a divine friend.
1268 If I seek wise, godly conduct In the host of my peace, May I live and implore it as it befits.
1269 King and Father and Teacher, May he be to me, and may I honour him, Who is divine for my justice.
1270 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1271 Englynion Sung by Catwg the Wise
1272 The same nature, wherever there is theft: A tuft of wool and the whole sheep; Evil is evil in every growth.
1273 One burn upon the skin is from the fire, Whether the blaze be great or small; Evil is evil in every nature.
1274 The same death comes from disease, Whether the affliction be small or great; Evil is evil, evil in every measure.
1275 It matters not whether it grows into disgrace, Whether the sin be great or small; Evil is evil in every course.
1276 There is no great weight as to shame, Whether the fault be great or small; Evil is evil in every aspect.
1277 Do not consider the size of the sin; Consider the size of the disobedience; Set everything at its worst.
1278 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1279 A Deivregawd Sung by Catwg the Wise
1280 The sun does not withhold its heat from the fool who spits in its face, God the Lord does not withhold his benefit from the wicked, despite the greatness of his hatred, [Matthew 5:45] God has left no one without strength to deliver himself from every foolishness, God the Father does not withhold his protection from the blessed person who loves wisdom, The wicked person who commits violence will never escape punishment, Honour will not fail, but only awaits the day, for every gentleness, When the final hour comes upon a person, it is no worse whether it has grown into crucifixion, The light of God will not fail anyone who seeks it in utmost brightness.
1281 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1282 Distinguished Negatives
1283 The bait does not last long where there are many crows, Song is not sweet where there is too much stone, It is not easy to sleep comfortably where there are too many fleas, Lying down is not greatly loved where there are too many thorns, It is not pleasant to walk paths where there are too many stones, A girl’s senses are not great where too much of her appearance is fine, A young woman’s manners are not great if she does not wear a sheath about her tongue, No one is wise from his knowledge who strives with any of these.
1284 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1285 The Scattering of Catwg the Wise
1286 The wicked will carry to the blessed, From sea and from mountain, From the hollow of the earth’s depths, And from the ocean of rivers.
1287 The snow of the mountain is a stag upon a fault; If everyone saw it and learned it, No one at all would be found untaught.
1288 Fair is the stirring of wind about the helm, Natural is the bliss of a man in his companion; Woe to him who is not fair, who has a divine gift.
1289 Upon every being and every living thing, In every form and in every kind, Best is peace, the peace of God.
1290 Let the wicked be sought from afar, Let the wise be sought in his chamber; Woe to him whose shame falls from his hold.
1291 Let the blessed be sought in his dwelling, Let the wicked be sought beneath leaves; Woe to him whose shame falls from his armpit.
1292 Better is a good name than the strength of a monarch, Better learning than rival wealth, Better inspiration than fitting learning, Better conscience than inspiration.
1293 Seek the blessed person in his dwelling, Seek the wicked person in every homelessness; The wise person does not part from his homestead.
1294 It is natural for a coward to be killed while fleeing, Natural for a brave man to escape from striking, Natural for a splendid servant to desire.
1295 Glorious is the face of a dear beloved, With frequent visiting; Woe to him who does not see a beloved on his side.
1296 No blessed person loses his office, No rightful endeavour loses its success, No reflection loses its advantage.
1297 Though your path be under oppression, The weight of every affliction will not crush you, Nor reproof, if misfortune comes.
1298 Watch where your intention is heading; It is right for the wise to watch constantly; No person watches if his day deceives him.
1299 Watch the turn of your foot each day; Unseen to you is what will overcome you; Better necessity than shame.
1300 Watch the impulse of your mind each night; Better prudence for a person than refined gold; Better death than living foolishly.
1301 Watch the prudence of your head, leader; Imprudence from afar is no small thing; Better a grave than a monstrous life.
1302 Watch your tongue and what it does, For speech is not hidden; Everyone hears where he does not see.
1303 Watch yourself before your God each day, That you may not fail in your faith; Better than the world is a blessed life.
1304 A tongue does not conceal its force; The worst learning is arguing, It is not late where wickedness is easy.
1305 Consider every word and its end; There is sure reward for every patience, And prudence will not deceive the head that owns it.
1306 In every fault, in every hardship, Patience will profit you greatly; Against every wound, time is a salve.
1307 Consideration will be yours on every side; Let no indifferent nature separate from you; No one is too old to learn.
1308 Put thrift into what you think; Look at your hand all of it; Know when before you do it.
1309 Anger: let it be God’s gift for rebuke, And for showing the judgement of the Lord; The end of blessed anger is easy.
1310 Look at your accomplishment and be wise; Take this into your understanding: Evil hates evil in another.
1311 He who has lost a word about him, Good in accomplishment will maintain him; He has lost what was not his own.
1312 Do the best in every necessity With the thing that is in your possession; Better than nothing is a bundle of rushes.
1313 Take what is in your possession, And do not increase your great desire; Easier than keeping money is gathering it.
1314 Watch the stirring of your heart, And do not find a defect in your breast; Worse than a sword is the rebuke of the wise.
1315 Know the turns of your mind; In every distress, declare anguish; It is not easy to stop sin with fault.
1316 In every excess, in every war, What is seen is easy to avoid; There is no evil but evil in hiding.
1317 No wanton person has a good end, Though he may not be seen; The worst enemy is an evil heart.
1318 He who commits oppression through violence, And force, and the ebbing of peace, Let him be feared who does not fear the grave.
1319 He who makes obstruction by his cruelty, In a country, and every desolation, Let him be feared who fears none but God the Lord.
1320 He who does what is unnatural against accomplishments, And every plunder, and every falsehood, Let him be feared by every fearless death.
1321 The counsel that the son of Morfryn gave To a great lord, an evil man: Fear him who fears not one enemy.
1322 The counsel that Cadeiriaith gave To a wicked man who acts in plunder: Fear him who fears not his end.
1323 Counsel from the Son of God was obtained, And he says it from his own mouth: Let him be feared who kills the soul. [Matthew 10:28]
1324 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1325 The Tales of the Crow
1326 The crow sang a tale in the valley, While searching for its grain: Learning is no learning unless followed.
1327 The crow sang a tale on the height Of an oak, above the meeting of two streams: Understanding is stronger than force.
1328 The crow sang a tale in the woods, Where it found a quiet hour: God’s good is enough for the blessed.
1329 The crow sang a tale from the top of an oak, Where all the birds could hear it: No bell is rung for the deaf.
1330 The crow sang a tale at dawn, When it was questioned by its master: The wise person does not dwell where he is not cared for.
1331 The crow sang a tale before the feet Of those who could not maintain themselves: There is no possession but knowledge.
1332 The crow sang a tale boldly, And from afar its sound was heard: The brave will overcome every happening.
1333 The crow sang in the groves, Where fools were disputing: One condition belongs to all in death.
1334 The crow sang from the top of a tree, In the hearing of all the birds of the woods: The wise person binds himself to the Lord.
1335 The crow sang a tale in a hidden nook, While it was found among fellowship: There is no world but evil company.
1336 The crow sang a tale from the top of an ash, To birds who were misers: Poor is everyone who does not see his enough.
1337 The crow sang a tale in desolation, To the one who was its companion: Blessed is contentment without hope.
1338 The crow sang a tale wisely, To those who did not go with understanding: A feast is no feast on another’s side.
1339 The crow sang a tale to its young, About those who went together in life: Everything loves its own kind.
1340 The crow sang a tale with prudence, To those it found without thrift: It is no use holding a candle before the blind.
1341 Catwg the Wise and his Hundred.
1342 And so ends the first book of the Skilled Gwyddfardd; and following it, after The Teaching of the Blue Bard and others, is the second book, namely, a register of Welsh Proverbs, arranged alphabetically according to the order of the Welsh letters, each proverb in the register of its initial letter, so that it may be easy to find. And the whole has been drawn from the old books of wisdom, where there were songs of Catwg the Wise mixed with other things of the same nature as the things found here; in the hope that this will be for the benefit and increase of knowledge and wisdom for my country and my nation, who will give thanks and praise to God for the will and the strength I received from him to finish what I took in hand.
1343 Thomas Ab Ievan.