1Do not feel confident about to morrow since you do not know how today will end.
2Let another praise you but not your own mouth; a stranger but not your own lips.
3Heavy the stone and weighty the sand but the fool’s anger outweighs both.
4Wrath is cruel and anger, impulsive but who can withstand jealousy?
5Better an honest rebuke than false affection.
6Worthy of trust is the friend who speaks honestly; the enemy is he who multiplies caresses.
7The full mouth looks down on honey, the hungry one finds any bitter thing sweet.
8Like a bird far from its nest, so is the one who wanders from his own place.
9Oil and perfume gladden the heart; so too does the sweetness of friendship comfort the soul.
10Never desert your friend or your father’s friend; do not hasten to your brother’s house when troubles strike: better a friend nearby than a brother far away.
11Learn to be wise, my son, and make me happy so that I can reply to those who insult me.
12The discerning man foresees danger and takes cover, but fools keep going, to their own loss.
13Get rid of his clothes since he has gone surety for a stranger, seize him for the benefit of those unknown.
14If he, at dawn, blesses his neighbor in a loud voice, it shall be interpreted as a curse.
15The constant dripping of a gutter on a rainy day and a nagging woman have something in common. 16Stopping her is like stopping the wind and grasping oil in one’s hand.
17Iron is sharpened with iron, contact with a neighbor sharpens a man’s wit.
18He who tends the fig tree eats its fruit, he who looks after his master will be honored.
19As the face is reflected in water, so man finds himself in his own heart.
20Death and hell are never satisfied; so, also, the eyes of men.
21A crucible for silver, a furnace for gold; you will know a man by his reputation.
22Even though you grind the fool in a mortar, you will not rid him of his stupidity.
23Know well the state of your herd and tend to your flock 24because wealth does not last forever and riches are not handed down from generation to generation. 25Once the pasture is mowed and the aftergrowth appears and the hay is gathered in from the hills, 26you should have lambs to clothe you and goats to pay for your fields, 27sufficient goats’ milk to feed you, to sustain your household and provide for your serving girls.
