Chapter Twenty-Three

When you sit down to eat with a ruler, pay close attention to what is put before you, and if you have a large appetite, curb it.  Do not develop a taste his delicacies, for such food is seductive.

Do not wear yourself out toiling for wealth; your prudence should tell you when to quit.  When you examine wealth, it will vanish, for it will sprout wings and soar into the heavens like an eagle.

Do not dine with a stingy host or crave his fine food, for he is someone who counts the cost.  He may say to you, “Eat and drink,” but in his heart he doesn’t mean it.  You will throw up the little you have eaten and will have squandered your compliments.

Do not waste your words on a fool, for he will despise your wisdom.

Do  not move an ancient boundary markers or violate the  fields that belong to orphans, for their Defender is mighty and he will plead their case against you.

Apply your mind to instruction and listen to the words of knowledge.

Do not refrain from disciplining your child.  If you strike him with a rod, he won’t die.  Punish him with the rod and thus save his soul from Hell.

My son, if your mind is wise, then my heart will rejoice in it as well.  All within me will be glad when your lips speak what is right.

Do not envy sinners, but always revere Jehovah.  Then you will have a future and your hopes will not be thwarted.

Listen, my son, be wise: keep your mind on the proper path.

Don’t carouse with heavy drinkers or feast with gluttonous eaters; the drunkard and the glutton will be reduced to poverty and their drowsiness will leave them clothed in rags. 

Heed the father who gave you life and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Buy the truth and do not sell it away.  Wisdom, education, and understanding as well.

The father of a righteous son will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will be delight because of him.  Make your father and mother be joyful, especially she who gave you birth.

My son, give your heart to me and let your eyes observe my example, for a prostitute is like a deep pit and a loose woman is a like a narrow well.  She lies in ambush like a robber and adds to the number of men who are unfaithful.

Who has woe?  Who has sorrow?  Who has strife?  Who has complaints?  Who has been hurt without cause?  Who has bloodshot eyes?  Those who linger a long time in drink, sampling bowls of mixed wine.  Gaze not upon the wine when it is red and sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.  For in the end it bites like a snake and stings like an viper.  Your eyes will see hallucinations and your mind will make you say nonsensical things.  You will be like one sleeping in the middle of the ocean on top of a ship’s mast.  “They hit me,” you will say.  “But I’m not hurt.  They beat me up, but I didn’t feel it.  When I wake up, I will look for another drink.”