1 | Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times. |
2 | The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart. |
3 | The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him. |
4 | Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing. |
5 | It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment. |
6 | The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts. |
7 | The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul. |
8 | The words of the double-tongued seem simple. |
9 | Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works. |
10 | The name of the Lord is very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted. |
11 | The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him. |
12 | The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified. |
13 | Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion. |
14 | The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered? |
15 | A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine. |
16 | A man's gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders. |
17 | The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him. |
18 | Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful. |
19 | A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities. |
20 | From the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him. |
21 | Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits. |
22 | He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious. |
23 | The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly. |
24 | A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother. |