1The idler is like a dirty stone, his disgrace is laughed at.
2The idler is like a heap of dung, all who touch it shake it off their hands.
3Badly brought up sons are the shame of their father, and daughters, a humiliation.
4A sensible daughter is a treasure to her husband, but the disgraceful one is a burden to her father.
5A shameless daughter brings disgrace on her father as well as her husband; both hate her.
6The untimely word is like music at a funeral but beating and correction guided by wisdom are never out of place.
7* 8* 9Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken jar, it is easier to awaken a man from deep sleep. 10Reasoning with a fool is like reasoning with a drowsy man; in the end, he will ask you, “What is it all about?”
11Weep for the dead man since the light has deserted him, weep for the fool because understanding has deserted him.
Cry less for the dead man; he has found his rest but the fool’s life is worse than death.
12Mourning the dead lasts seven days, but it lasts a lifetime for the fool and godless man.
13Do not waste words on the fool or go with the stupid man; beware of him lest he bring you trouble and his contact leave you contaminated. Stay away from him if you want rest and do not want to be worn out by his requests.
14What is heavier than lead? What is its name but “Fool”?
15Sand, salt and a load of iron are easier to bear than a fool.
16The wooden joint in a building is not dislodged by an earthquake; a determined heart, after careful reflection, will not be moved when crises come.
17A decision based on serious reflection stands like plaster on a firm wall.
18Stakes set on a height do not resist the wind; the fool’s heart, frightened by his own imaginings, cannot withstand fear.
19Striking the eye brings tears; if you strike the heart, lucidity will come forth.
20Whoever throws stones at birds scares them off; reproach a friend and you will kill the friendship.
21If you have drawn your sword against a friend, do not despair, it can be put back; 22if you have spoken harshly to a friend, do not fear, reconciliation is possible; but in the event of insult, contempt, betrayal of a confidence or treacherous blow, any friend would desert you.
23Win your neighbor’s confidence when he is poor so that you may enjoy his goods with him when he grows rich; be loyal in his hour of trouble and you will win, in the end, a share in his inheritance.
24Smoke and fumes precede the fire; so, too, insults herald the blows.
25I will not be ashamed of protecting a friend nor will I avoid him; 26if evil comes to me from him, all who hear of it will beware of him.
27Who will put a guard on my mouth and effectively lock up my lips to prevent me from sinning and my tongue from hastening my ruin?
