26. We may outride, but not outwit, the old man.
27. If you and your friend fall out, then your enemy will know
what your friend knew before.
28. Don't choose a deceitful man as a friend, for he will do you
harm.
29. The false one will betray you when you least expect it.
30. Don't choose a scornful false friend, for he will steal your
goods and deny the theft.
31. Take to yourself a steadfast man who is wise in word and deed;
he will prove a true friend in need.
To restore education and religion, Alfred disseminated the Anglo-
Saxon Chronicles; the Venerable Bede's Ecclesiastical History of
the English Nation; the "Consolidation of Philosophy" by Roman
philosopher Boethius, which related the use of adversity to
develop the soul, and described the goodness of God and how the
highest happiness comes from spiritual values and the soul, which
are eternal, rather than from material or earthly pursuits, which
are temporal; and Pope Gregory's Pastoral Care, which he had
translated into English and was the fundamental book on the duty
of a bishop, which included a duty to teach laymen; and Orosius'
History of the World, which he had translated into English.
Alfred's advice to pastors was to live as they had been taught
from books and to teach this manner of life to others. To be
avoided was pride, the mind's deception of seeking glory in the
name of doing good works, and the corruption of high office.
Pages:
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54