Study Desk

Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land.

Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight.

Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.

Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.

So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"

Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Like a bird that wanders from her nest, So is a man who wanders from his home.

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man's counsel is sweet to his friend.

Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.

By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

For the churning of milk produces butter, And pressing the nose brings forth blood; So the churning of anger produces strife.

That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.

I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility.

So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what will the man do who will come after the king except what has already been done?

Then I said to myself, "As is the fate of the fool, it will also befall me. Why then have I been extremely wise?" So I said to myself, "This too is vanity."