| 1 | He who loves his son will frequently chastise him, so that he may be happy in the very end, and not grope for the doors of his neighbors. |
| 2 | He who instructs his son will be praised over him and will glory in him, in the midst of his household. |
| 3 | He who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends, he will glory in him. |
| 4 | When his father has died, it will be as if he were not dead. For he will have left behind someone who is like himself. |
| 5 | In his life, he saw him and rejoiced in him. And at his passing, he was not sorrowful, nor was he confounded in the sight of his enemies. |
| 6 | For he left behind himself a defender of his house against his enemies, and someone who will repay his friends with kindness. |
| 7 | For the sake of the souls of his sons, he will bind up his wounds, and at every voice, his gut will be stirred up. |
| 8 | An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a child left to himself becomes headstrong. |
| 9 | Coddle a son, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will make you sorrowful. |
| 10 | You should not laugh with him; otherwise you may have grief, and in the end, your teeth be clenched. |
| 11 | You should not give him power in his youth, but you should not despise his thoughts. |
| 12 | Bow down his neck in his youth, and slap his sides while he is a child, lest perhaps he may become stubborn, and then he will not trust you, and so he will bring sorrow to your soul. |
| 13 | Instruct your son, and work with him, lest you give offense by his shameful behavior. |
| 14 | Better is a healthy pauper with a strong constitution, than a wealthy man who is weak and afflicted by maladies. |
| 15 | A healthy soul with the sanctity of justice is better than all the gold and silver. And a sound body is better than immense revenues. |
| 16 | There is no revenue above the revenue of a healthy body. And there is no delight above a joyful heart. |
| 17 | Death is better than a bitter life. And eternal rest is better than continual sickness. |
| 18 | Good things hidden in a closed mouth are like seats at a feast placed around a grave. |
| 19 | What benefit is there in an offering to an idol? For it can neither eat, nor smell. |
| 20 | So is he who flees from the Lord, carrying the wages of his iniquity. |
| 21 | He sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a virgin and sighs. |
| 22 | You should not give your soul to sadness, and you should not afflict yourself by your own counsel. |
| 23 | The gladness of the heart is the life of a man, and it is a treasure of sanctity without defect. And the exultation of a man is length of life. |
| 24 | Take pity on your own soul by pleasing God, and show self-restraint. Gather your heart into his sanctity, and drive sadness far away from yourself. |
| 25 | For sadness has killed many, and there is no usefulness in it. |
| 26 | Envy and anger will diminish your days, and pensiveness will bring old age before its time. |
| 27 | A cheerful and good heart is like a feast. And its feasts are formed by diligence. |
