By God, if women had written stories, As clerks had within here oratories, They would have written of men more wickedness Than all the mark of Adam may redress.

Make a virtue of necessity.

Hyt is not al golde that glareth.

If gold rusts, what then can iron do?

If were not foolish young, were foolish old.

Whoso will pray, he must fast and be clean, And fat his soul, and make his body lean.

First he wrought, and afterwards he taught.