Chapter Thirteen

A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer won’t listen to criticism. 

A man of wise words will savor sweetness, but the treacherous will taste the bitterness of violence. 

He who guards his words guards his life, but he who speaks with rashness will come to ruin. 

The cravings of the lazy man are many, but are unfulfilled; on the other hand, the desires of the industrious man will be sated. 

The righteous man hates falsehood, but the deceitful man brings shame and disgrace upon himself. 

Righteousness protects the man on the path of integrity, but wickedness will destroy the sinner.

One man feigns wealth, but is poor, another, possessing great wealth, pretends to be indigent.

Riches may ransom a man’s life, but the poor are not subjected to such threats. 

The lamp of the righteous shines brightly, while the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. 

With arrogance comes contention, but with wisdom is a willingness to accept advice. 

Riches attained dishonestly dissipate, but wealth acquired through labor will grow. 

A hope deferred sours the heart, but a desire that comes to fruition is a tree of life. 

Whoever rejects instruction will pay for it, but he who respects authority will be rewarded. 

The teachings of the wise is a fountain of life that turns one away from the perils of death. 

Good sense is a favorable path; that of treachery, a harsh one. 

All prudent people act on good knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. 

An unreliable messenger spells trouble, but a trustworthy envoy is a tonic. 

He who ignores instruction will come to poverty and disgrace, but he who accepts reproofs will be honored. 

A desire fulfilled is sweetness to the soul, but fools are loathed to turn from evil. 

He who keeps company with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will find himself in trouble. 

Sinners are pursued by misfortune, but the righteous are rewarded with prosperity. 

The good man is able to leave an inheritance to his grandchildren, while the sinner’s wealth is stored up only to pass to the righteous. 

There is plenty of food to be had in the uncultivated fields of the poor, but it is lost through incompetent management. 

Whoever fails to discipline his son, hates him, but he who loves his son will be diligent to punish him.  

The righteous man will eat to his body’s satisfaction, while the stomach of the wicked man remains empty.