Chapter 31 _{12 If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.13 Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing: and what is created more wicked than an eye? therefore it weepeth upon every occasion.14 Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.15 Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.16 Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour note, lest thou be hated.17 Leave off first for manners' sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.18 When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.19 A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.20 Sound sleep cometh of moderate eating: he riseth early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching, and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.21 And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.22 My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick, so shall there no sickness come unto thee.23 Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.24 But against him that is a niggard of his meat the whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his niggardness shall not be doubted of.25 Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.26 The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.27 Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.28 Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:29 But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.30 Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.31 Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words, and press not upon him with urging him [to drink.]}

Chapter 32 _{1 If thou be made the master [of a feast,] lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.2 And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast.3 Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.4 Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.5 A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.6 As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.7 Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.8 Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.9 If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.10 Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.12 There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.13 And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.14 Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.}