Study Desk

Like clouds and wind when there is no rain, so too is a man who boasts in a gift of deception.

Like cold water upon a weary soul, so too is good news from a distant place.

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

Like the sparrow is to fluttering and like the swallow is to flying, so an undeserved curse does not go forth.

Like cutting off feet or drinking violence, so is he who sends messages in the hand of a fool.

Like legs that hang limp from a lame person, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like binding a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.

Like a thorn that goes up in 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 he who hires passersby.

so is a man who deceives his neighbor, but says "Am I not joking?"

As charcoal is to hot embers and wood is to fire, so a man of quarrels is to kindling strife.

Like impure silver which overlays an earthen vessel, so are smooth lips and an evil heart.

Like a bird that strays from its nest, so is a man who strays from his place.

Take his garment, for he gives surety to a stranger, and to an adulteress—so take his pledge.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

As the waters reflect face to face, so the heart of a person reflects the person.

For pressing milk produces curd, and pressing the nose produces blood, so pressing anger produces strife.

So I dedicated myself to learn about wisdom and to learn about delusion and folly. However, I discovered that this also is chasing wind.

I also explored the effects of indulging my flesh with wine. My mind guiding me with wisdom, I investigated folly so that I might discover what is good under heaven for humans to do during the days of their lives.

So I said to myself, "If I also suffer the same fate as the fool, what advantage is my great wisdom?" So I said to myself, "This also is vanity!"