Dead flies, literally, "flies of death," that is, such as fall into a mixture and, in decomposing, taint it with their rottenness, cause the ointment of the apothecary to mend forth a stinking savor, so that its value is lost; so doth a little folly, even a small show of sinful weakness, him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor, the one weakness spoils everything.

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