Chapter 20

  Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.  

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  As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.  

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  It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.  

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  Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.  

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  Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.  

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  Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?  

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  The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.  

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  The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.  

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  Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?  

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  Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.  

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  By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.  

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  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.  

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  Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.  

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  It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.  

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  There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.  

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  Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.  

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  The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.  

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  Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.  

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  Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.  

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  He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.  

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  The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.  

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  Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.  

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  Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.  

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  The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?  

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  It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.  

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  A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.  

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  The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.  

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  Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.  

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  The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.  

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  The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more in- ward parts of the belly.  

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