Prudence asks Melibee how he interpreted their advice that an evil is cured by its opposite. Melibee says that he understood it to mean that he should do to his enemies what they have done to him. Prudence explains that their advice meant exactly the opposite, that hate is cured by love, war is cured by peace, etc. Prudence next asks Melibee how he interpreted the lawyer's advice to guard his house. Melibee says that he should have towers and fortifications.
Prudence replies that the best defense anyone can have is the love of neighbors and subjects.
The force of these concepts is indicated by the articles of deposition issued by Parliament against Richard II in 1399. Melibee argues that if noone ever takes revenge for evils done to him then people won't be afraid to commit crimes. Prudence replies that only a judge, not a private person, can punish wrong, and a judge sins if he fails to punish wrong. She advises Melibee to have recourse to the appointed judge who will punish them according to the law. Melibee prefers to rely on Fortune, who befriended him in his childhood and aided him in times of difficulty, and take matters into his own hands.