| Chapter 8 |
1 | Strive not with a powerful man, lest thou fall into his hands. |
2 | Contend not with a rich man, lest he bring an action against thee. |
3 | For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them. |
4 | Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire. |
5 | Communicate not with an ignorant man, lest he speak ill of thy family. |
6 | Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof. |
7 | Despise not a man in his old age; for we also shall become old. |
8 | Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy; knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death. |
9 | Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs. |
10 | For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame. |
11 | Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers: |
12 | For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need. |
13 | Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins. |
14 | Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words. |
15 | Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself: and if thou lendest, count it as lost. |
16 | Be not surety above thy power: and if thou be surety, think as if thou wert to pay it. |
17 | Judge not against a judge: for he judgeth according to that which is just. |
18 | Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly. |
19 | Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee. |
20 | Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them. |
21 | Before a stranger do no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth. |
22 | Open not thy heart to every man: lest he repay thee with an evil turn, and speak reproachfully to thee. |