Fifty Godly and Learned Sermons (The Decades)

Lastly, let the father place his children ¹with expert and cunning workmen, to teach them some handy craft whereby to get their living another day. But first, he must make trial of their wits, to see whereunto every one is best apt, and wherein he doth most delight. For, cunning will never be come by, where good will is wanting in him that must learn it. If thou hast any fit for learning, thou shalt do a good and godly deed, to train them up to the ministry of the church, or some other office that standeth by learning. But of all other, those parents are to be found fault withal, that bring up their children in lazy idleness. For although there be left unto them huge heaps of treasure, yet in three or four odd hours, all may be wasted and come to nought. Whereunto then shall your dainty idle Gentleman trust, what shall ⟨p. 161⟩he do, when there is nothing left but his bare carcass that is a lump of clay not good for any thing? The inhabitants of Massilia would not admit any into the number of citizens, but such as had learned an occupation to live by. For to a city there is no greater a plague, than an unprofitable citizen. But who I pray you may be thought to be a worse citizen than he, that being accustomed to ease, and delicateness, and of a sudden by some mishap, or else by prodigal riotousness being deprived of them both, and driven to extreme poverty, is compelled, perforce to seek out unlawful shifts to get more wealth again? Furthermore they of old had a Proverb worthy to be remembered of us at this time, Every land maintaineth Art. By this sentence they meant that learning and science, is the surest preparation for every journey. For they cannot be taken away by thieves, but whether soever thou goest, they bear thee company, and are no burden for thee to bear. If therefore mishap do spoil thy children of the wealth that thou leavest them, if thou hast taught them an occupation, it is enough for them to live by. Kings are deprived of their princelike dignity, and put beside their exceeding riches, so that it is no marvel though kings inferiors be spoiled of their wealth, & banished their countries. Dionysius of Syracuse is reported for his tyranny to have been thrust beside his seat.

Lastly, let the father place his children ¹with expert and cunning workmen, to teach them some handie craft whereby to get their liuing another daye. But firste, hée muste make tryall of their wits, to sée wherevnto euery one is best apt, and wherein he doth most delight. For, cunning will neuer be come by, where good will is wanting in him that must learne it. If thou hast any fit for learning, thou shalt do a good and godly déede, to train them vp to the ministerie of the churche, or some other office that standeth by learning. But of all other, those parents are to be founde faulte withall, that bring vp their children in lazie idlenesse. For although there be left vnto them huge heapes of treasure, yet in thrée or foure odde houres, al may be wasted and come to nought. Wherevnto then shall your deintie idle Gentleman truste, what shall