Riches...

"Riches are like muck, which stink in a heap, but spread abroad, make the earth fruitful"

Clare's Proverbs, David Powell (2000)

Christmas...

"His gifts at Christmass time are yearly given"

EP II 697 (The Parish)

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