An exposition of Solomons book called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seen and allowedAn exposition of Salomons booke called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seene and allowed

Dead flies cause the most precious ointment to stink.

Dead flyes cause the most precious oyntment to stinke.

This is a proverbial sentence against fools,¹ howbeit Solomon hath very hard translations. The translation would ⟨image 162⟩have been more comely, if he had added, according to the proverb, It is as men say. The proverb is taken from things in use among this people, which account and esteem ointments among their most precious things. It seemeth to us the similitude is the more unpleasant and strange, because we have little use of such things as that nation had. Like therefore as flies destroy a most precious ointment, so some unthrift and naughtipacke destroyeth the best counsel in a common weal, in the Parliament chamber, and in war. Therefore as we are constrained to bear with such noisome flies, so are we compelled to bear with such pestilent counsellors.

THis is a prouerbiall sentence against fooles,¹ howbeit Salomon hath very hard translations. The translatiō would ⟨image 162⟩haue béene more comely, if he had added, according to the prouerbe, It is as men say. The prouerbe is taken from things in vse among this people, which accompt and estéeme oyntmentes among their most precious thinges. It séemeth to vs the similitude is the more vnpleasaunt and straunge, because we haue litle vse of such thinges as that nation had. Lyke therfore as flyes destroy a most precious oyntment, so some vnthrift and naughtipacke destroyeth the best counsell in a common weale, in the Parliamēt chamber, and in warre. Therefore as we are constrayned to beare with such noysome flyes, so are we compelled to beare with such pestilent counsellers.