Study Desk

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.

Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.

Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative's house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.

If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.

A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day;

A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.

Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him.

Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.

the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.

You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.

You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.