Study Desk

Do not boast^(a) about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.^(b)

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.^(c)

Stone is heavy and sand^(d) a burden, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?^(e)

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.^(f)

One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that flees its nest^(g) is anyone who flees from home.

Perfume^(h) and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative's house when disaster⁽ⁱ⁾ strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;^(j) then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.^(k)

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.^(l)

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.^(m)

If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.

A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping⁽ⁿ⁾ of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,^(o) and whoever protects their master will be honored.^(p)

As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.^[a]

Death and Destruction^[b] are never satisfied,^(q) and neither are human eyes.^(r)

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,^(s) but people are tested by their praise.

Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,^(t) give careful attention to your herds;

for riches do not endure forever,^(u) and a crown is not secure for all generations.

When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.

You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.