| 1 Every friend declares his friendship, but there are friends who are friends in name only. |
| 2 Is it not a sorrow unto death when your bosom companion becomes your enemy? |
| 3 "Alas, my companion! Why were you created to blanket the earth with deceit?" |
| 4 A false friend will share your joys, but in time of trouble he stands afar off. |
| 5 A true friend will fight with you against the foe, against your enemies he will be your shield-bearer. |
| 6 Forget not your comrade during the battle, and neglect him not when you distribute your spoils. |
| 7 Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own; |
| 8 Be on the alert when one proffers advice, find out first of all what he wants. For he may be thinking of himself alone; why should the profit fall to him? |
| 9 He may tell you how good your way will be, and then stand by to watch your misfortune. |
| 10 Seek no advice from one who regards you with hostility; from those who envy you, keep your intentions hidden. |
| 11 Speak not to a woman about her rival, nor to a coward about war, to a merchant about business, to a buyer about value, to a miser about generosity, to a cruel man about mercy, to a lazy man about work, to a seasonal laborer about the harvest, to an idle slave about a great task: pay no attention to any advice they give. |
| 12 Instead, associate with a religious man, who you are sure keeps the commandments; Who is like-minded with yourself and will feel for you if you fall. |
| 13 Then, too, heed your own heart's counsel; for what have you that you can depend on more? |
| 14 A man's conscience can tell him his situation better than seven watchmen in a lofty tower. |
| 15 Most important of all, pray to God to set your feet in the path of truth. |
| 16 A word is the source of every deed; a thought, of every act. |
| 17 The root of all conduct is the mind; four branches it shoots forth: |
| 18 Good and evil, death and life, their absolute mistress is the tongue. |
| 19 A man may be wise and benefit many, yet be of no use to himself. |
| 20 Though a man may be wise, if his words are rejected he will be deprived of all enjoyment. |
| 21 When a man is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are seen in his own person; |
| 22 When a man is wise to his people's advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are enduring: |
| 23 Limited are the days of one man's life, but the life of Israel is days without number. |
| 24 One wise for himself has full enjoyment, and all who see him praise him; |
| 25 One wise for his people wins a heritage of glory, and his name endures forever. |
| 26 My son, while you are well, govern your appetite so that you allow it not what is bad for you; |
| 27 For not every food is good for everyone, nor is everything suited to every taste. |
| 28 Be not drawn after every enjoyment, neither become a glutton for choice foods, |
| 29 For sickness comes with overeating, and gluttony brings on biliousness. |
| 30 Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemious man prolongs his life. |