| 1 Whoever loves his son will beat him frequently so that in after years the son may be his comfort. |
| 2 Whoever is strict with his son wil reap the benefit, and be able to boast of him to his acquaintances. |
| 3 Whoever educates his son wil be the envy of his enemy, and wil be proud of him among his friends. |
| 4 Even when the father dies, he might wel not be dead, since he leaves his likeness behind him. |
| 5 In life he has had the joy of his company, dying, he has no anxieties. |
| 6 He leaves an avenger against his enemies and a rewarder of favours for his friends. |
| 7 Whoever coddles his son will bandage his wounds, his heart wil turn over at every cry. |
| 8 A badly broken-in horse turns out stubborn, a son left to himself turns out headstrong. |
| 9 Pamper your child and he wil terrorise you, play along with him and he wil bring you sorrow. |
| 10 Do not laugh with him, or one day you wil weep with him and end up gnashing your teeth. |
| 11 While he is young, do not al ow him his freedom and do not wink at his mistakes. |
| 12 Bend his neck in youth, bruise his ribs while he is a child, or else he wil grow stubborn anddisobedient, and hurt you very deeply. |
| 13 Be strict with your son, and persevere with him, or you will rue his insolence. |
| 14 Better be poor if healthy and fit than rich if tormented in body. |
| 15 Health and strength are better than any gold, a robust body than untold wealth. |
| 16 No riches can outweigh bodily health, no enjoyment surpass a cheerful heart. |
| 17 Better death than a wretched life, and everlasting rest than chronic il ness. |
| 18 Good things lavished on a closed mouth are like food offerings put on a grave. |
| 19 What use is an offering to an idol which can neither eat nor smel ? How describe someone pursued bythe Lord's displeasure? |
| 20 He looks and sighs like a eunuch embracing a pretty girl -- how he sighs! |
| 21 Do not abandon yourself to sorrow, do not torment yourself with brooding. |
| 22 Gladness of heart is life to anyone, joy is what gives length of days. |
| 23 Give your cares the slip, console your heart, chase sorrow far away; for sorrow has been the ruin ofmany, and is no use to anybody. |
| 24 Jealousy and anger shorten your days, and worry brings premature old age. |
| 25 A genial heart makes a good trencherman, someone who enjoys a good meal. |