1 * Don't brag about tomorrow!

Each day brings

its own surprises.

2 Don't brag about yourself—

let others praise you.

3 Stones and sand are heavy,

but trouble caused by a fool

is a much heavier load.

4 An angry person is dangerous,

but a jealous person

is even worse.

5 A truly good friend

will openly correct you.

6 You can trust a friend

who corrects you,

but kisses from an enemy

are nothing but lies.

7 If you have had enough to eat,

honey doesn't taste good,

but if you are really hungry,

you will eat anything.

8 When you are far from home,

you feel like a bird

without a nest.

9 The sweet smell of incense

can make you feel good,

but true friendship

is better still.*

10 Don't desert an old friend

of your family

or visit your relatives

when you are in trouble.

A friend nearby is better

than relatives far away.

11 My child, show good sense!

Then I will be happy

and able to answer anyone

who criticizes me.

12 Be cautious and hide

when you see danger—

don't be stupid and walk

right into trouble.

13 You deserve to lose your coat

if you loan it to someone

to guarantee payment

for the debt of a stranger.

14 A loud greeting

early in the morning

is the same as a curse.

15 The steady dripping of rain

and the nagging of a wife

are one and the same.

16 It's easier to catch the wind

or hold olive oil in your hand

than to stop a nagging wife.

17 Just as iron sharpens iron,

friends sharpen the minds

of each other.

18 Take care of a tree,

and you will eat its fruit;

look after your master,

and you will be praised.

19 You see your face in a mirror

and your thoughts

in the minds of others.

20 Death and the grave

are never satisfied,

and neither are humans.

21 Gold and silver are tested

in a red-hot furnace,

but we are tested by praise.

22 No matter how hard

you beat a fool,

you can't pound out

the foolishness.

23 You should take good care

of your sheep and goats,

24 because wealth and honor

don't last forever.

25 After the hay is cut

and the new growth appears

and the harvest is over,

26 you can sell lambs and goats

to buy clothes and land.

27 From the milk of the goats,

you can make enough cheese

to feed your family

and all your servants.