Prudence and common sense
1Do not argue with a powerful man lest you fall into his hands.
2Do not quarrel with a rich man lest he throw his weight into the scale against you.
3Do not argue with a talkative person; do not heap up wood on his fire.
4Do not joke with an ignorant man for fear your ancestors will be insulted.
5Do not offend the man who repents of his sins, remember that we are all deserving punishment.
6Do not despise a man in his old age, be cause we ourselves will grow old.
7Do not rejoice at the death of any man, remember that we shall all die.
8Do not neglect the teaching of the wise, apply yourself well to their precepts. Through them you will learn how to live and how to serve the great.
9Do not set aside the teachings of the elders for they also learnt it from their forebears; they will open up your understanding and enable you to reply at the right moment.
10Do nothing to arouse the sinner for fear of being burned by the flames of his fire.
11Do not annoy the angry man for fear that he will twist your words to his own advantage.
12Do not lend to those more powerful than yourself; if you have lent anything, consider it as lost.
13Do not stand surety beyond your means; if you have done so, be ready to pay.
14Do not go to law with a judge be cause, due to his position, judgment will be given in his favor.
15Do not travel with an adventurer lest he impose himself on you and, as he does whatever he pleas es, you both perish through his folly.
16Do not quarrel with a bad-tempered per son nor get involved with him in a lonely place; blood counts for little in his eyes and, when he sees you defenseless, he will attack you.
17Do not take counsel with a fool be cause he will not be able to remain silent about what you have said.
18Do nothing which should be secret before a stranger because you do not know how he will react.
19Do not reveal your secrets to any man, he will not be grateful to you for doing so.
