| 1 An idler is like a stone covered in filth, everyone whistles at his disgrace. |
| 2 An idler is like a lump of dung, anyone picking it up shakes it off his hand. |
| 3 It is a disgrace to have fathered a badly brought-up son, but the birth of any daughter is a loss; |
| 4 a sensible daughter wil find a husband, but a shameless one is a grief to her father. |
| 5 A brazen daughter puts father and mother to shame, and wil be disowned by both. |
| 6 An untimely remonstrance is like music at a funeral, but a thrashing and correction are wisdom at altimes. |
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| 9 Teaching a fool is like gluing bits of pottery together -- you are rousing someone who is besotted withsleep. |
| 10 You might as wel talk to someone sound asleep; when you have finished the fool will say, 'What'sup?' |
| 11 Shed tears for the dead, who has left the light behind; shed tears for the fool, who has left his witsbehind. Shed quieter tears for the dead who is at rest, for the fool life is worse than death. |
| 12 Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, for the foolish and ungodly al the days of their lives. |
| 13 Do not waste many words on the stupid, do not go near a dolt. Beware of him, or you wil have troubleand be soiled by contact with him; keep away from him, and you will have peace of mind and not be exasperatedby his fol y. |
| 14 What is heavier than lead, and what is its name if not 'fool'? |
| 15 Sand and salt and a lump of iron are a lighter burden than a dolt. |
| 16 A tie-beam bonded into a building will not be dislodged by an earthquake; so too, a heart resolvedafter due reflection will not flinch at the critical moment. |
| 17 A heart founded on intel igent reflection is like a stucco decoration on a smooth wall. |
| 18 Pebbles placed on top of a wal wil not stand up to the wind; no more can the heart of a fool frightenedat his own thoughts stand up to fear. |
| 19 Prick an eye and you wil draw a tear, prick a heart and you reveal its feelings. |
| 20 Throw stones at birds and you scare them away, reproach a friend and you destroy a friendship. |
| 21 If you have drawn your sword on a friend, do not despair; there is a way back. |
| 22 If you have opened your mouth against your friend, do not worry; there is hope for reconciliation; butinsult, arrogance, betrayal of secrets, and the stab in the back -- in these cases any friend is lost. |
| 23 Win your neighbour's confidence when he is poor, so that you may enjoy his later good fortune withhim; stand by him in times of trouble, in order to have your share when he comes into a legacy. |
| 24 Fire is heralded by the reek of the furnace and smoke, so too, bloodshed by insults. |
| 25 I shal not be ashamed to shelter a friend nor shal I hide away from him, |
| 26 and if evil comes to me through him, everyone who hears about it will beware of him. |
| 27 Who wil set a guard on my mouth, and an efficient seal on my lips, to keep me from fal ing, and mytongue from causing my ruin? |