Friendship...

"Praise the bridge you get safe over -- He who sets not value by his friends deserves none"

Pet MS A48 p37r

Winning and losing

"A loosing game is a fools game & easy played     But it takes a wise man to win"

Phz Misc. MS 198 p46

Injuries and Kindnesses

"Write injuries in dust & kindnesses in marble"

Pet MS A45 p26

Second thoughts...

Lord Radstock to John Taylor, 23 February 1820

"I have ever been a great admirer of proverbs, and this from a conviction of their being, generally, founded on Wisdom, and the experience of ages.  Among my favourites that of 'Second thoughts are best', is one for which I have long had the highest respect, it often serving me as an oracle to guide me..."

Quoted in 'John Clare's Proverbs' - David Powell - Tern Press (2000)

Popularity...

"Popularity is a hasty and a busy talker"

European Magazine, November 1825

Marriage...

Who falls in love will seek his own undoing
The road to marriage is — ‘the road to ruin’

Don Juan a Poem
LP I 89

Sex...

"I wish young married dames were not so frisky
Nor hide the ring to make believe they’re single"
   
Don Juan A Poem
LP I 89