Hey, this is Shawn here. My friend Richard, he's a bit old- fashioned. Although there's nothing wrong with that, it sometimes makes him a bit difficult to understand. So, I'll provide the definitions for a few archaic words, or modern words with odd usages. Also, every once in a while, I'll brush off one of his proverbs and put it into more modern language. It may not come out as breif or witty, but I think Richard would agree: Better well understood than well said.
Be kind to the people around you; but keep careful watch over your possessions.
Nothing much to explain here, but I just thought I'd point out the possible pun on the word Lent.
The philosopher's stone was one of the pursuits of medieval alchemists. It was a substance which would change baser metals (lead, copper, iron, etc.) into noble ones (gold, silver, etc.)
Just like air can pass through a trumpet but leave it curved still, good teaching can come from a preacher without improving his character.
The use of the word own here is a little outdated. This one is easier to understand if you modify that to own up to.
The main problem here is the word horns. In those days, horns (particularly the "horned hand" gesture) were the symbol of a man whose wife had cheated on him. Therefore, if you marry a beautiful woman, it's very possible she might cheat on you.
Oh, if I'd only learn to take advice like this. Instead I put everything (including this web-page, which got started as a class project) off until the last minute. Ummm . . . yeah, the meaning, right. The word some-what would be easier understood if read something other than that, got it? Good.
The muses were nine spirits of the arts in Greek and Roman mythology. So, Inspiration for art comes in the morning. (Okay, that one got really mangled, but if you want to understand it, it can't be helped.)