Brothers will be useful in need, for that is what they are born for. A foolish man applauds and rejoices at himself, just as someone, giving his hand, vouches for his friend, but he gathers fire on his lips and ways. He who loves sin rejoices in quarrels. He who exalts his doors seeks defeat. The hard-hearted will not find good. A man with a fickle tongue will get into trouble, but a foolish heart is a disease for the one who has it. A father does not rejoice over an ill-mannered son, but a wise son rejoices his mother. A cheerful heart is good for health, but a sad person's bones dry out. He who unrighteously accepts gifts in his bosom will not have success in his paths, but the wicked perverts the paths of righteousness. A wise man has an intelligent face, but a madman has eyes at the ends of the earth. A foolish son is anger for the father and illness for the one who gave birth to him. It is not right to harm a righteous man, and it is impermissible to plot evil against just rulers. He who refrains from uttering a cruel word is prudent; but a long-suffering man is wiser than one who seeks knowledge.
To the foolish one who asks about wisdom, it will be counted as wisdom; also the one who is silent may seem reasonable. A person who wants to separate from his friends looks for an excuse, but will always end up in shame. The feeble-minded does not need wisdom, because he is more driven by foolishness. When the wicked reaches the depths of evil, he experiences contempt for others, and dishonor and shame befall him. The mind in the human heart is deep water, and the source of life is a fast-flowing stream. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, and it is unjust to distort the truth in court.