1. The wife’s defense of her Old Age “Filth and old age…are powerful wardens over chastity.” –(Lines 391-392)

2. The wife’s defense of Old Age “To call an old man ‘father’ shows good breeding.” (Line 387)

3. The wife’s defense of her poverty “Almighty God Himself…chose a life of poverty… Our Heavenly King would never stoop to choose a shameful thing.” (Lines 354-358)

4. The wife’s defense of her poverty “No shame in poverty if the heart is gay.” (Line 359)

5. The wife’s defense of her poverty “He who accepts his poverty unhurt I’d say is rich although he lacked a shirt.” (Lines 361-362)

6. The wife’s defense of her poverty “But truly poor are they who whine and fret And covet what they cannot hope to get.” (Lines 363-364)

7. The wife’s defense of her poverty “The poor can dance and sing in the relief Of having nothing that will tempt a thief.” (Lines 369-370)

8. The wife’s defense of her poverty “Poverty often when the heart is lowly, Brings one to God and teaches what is holy.” (Lines 378-379)

9. The Wife’s Defense of her lack of nobility “Whoever loves to work for virtuous ends, … Take him to be the greatest gentleman.” (Lines 289-292)

10. The Wife’s defense of her lack of nobility “Christ willed we take our gentleness from Him, Not from a wealth of ancestry long dim. …” (Lines 293-294)