| 1 Contend not with an influential man, lest you fall into his power. |
| 2 Quarrel not with a rich man, lest he pay out the price of your downfall; For gold has dazzled many, and perverts the character of princes. |
| 3 Dispute not with a man of railing speech, heap no wood upon his fire. |
| 4 Be not too familiar with an unruly man, lest he speak ill of your forebears. |
| 5 Shame not a repentant sinner; remember, we all are guilty. |
| 6 Insult no man when he is old, for some of us, too, will grow old. |
| 7 Rejoice not when a man dies; remember, we are all to die. |
| 8 Spurn not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with their proverbs; From them you will acquire the training to serve in the presence of princes. |
| 9 Reject not the tradition of old men which they have learned from their fathers; From it you will obtain the knowledge how to answer in time of need. |
| 10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest you be consumed in his flaming fire. |
| 11 Let not the impious man intimidate you; it will set him in ambush against you. |
| 12 Lend not to one more powerful than yourself; and whatever you lend, count it as lost. |
| 13 Go not surety beyond your means; think any pledge a debt you must pay. |
| 14 Contend not at law with a judge, for he will settle it according to his whim. |
| 15 Travel not with a ruthless man, lest he weigh you down with calamity; For he will go his own way straight, and through his folly you will perish with him. |
| 16 Provoke no quarrel with a quick-tempered man, nor ride with him through the desert, For bloodshed is nothing to him; when there is no one to help you, he will destroy you. |
| 17 Take no counsel with a fool, for he can keep nothing to himself. |
| 18 Before a stranger do nothing that should be kept secret, for you know not what it will engender. |
| 19 Open your heart to no man, and banish not your happiness. |