Study Desk

Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.

Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him!

The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed.

The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.

Wiser [is] the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven [men] returning a reason.

Laying hold on the ears of a dog, [Is] a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.

So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, `Am not I playing?'

By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit,

When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations [are] in his heart.

As a bird wandering from her nest, So [is] a man wandering from his place.

Take his garment, when a stranger hath been surety, And for a strange woman pledge it.

Whoso is saluting his friend with a loud voice, In the morning rising early, A light thing it is reckoned to him.

Whoso is hiding her hath hidden the wind, And the ointment of his right hand calleth out.

Iron by iron is sharpened, And a man sharpens the face of his friend.

The keeper of a fig-tree eateth its fruit, And the preserver of his master is honoured.

A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And a man according to his praise.

If thou dost beat the foolish in a mortar, Among washed things -- with a pestle, His folly turneth not aside from off him.

Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.

Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.