Chapter 21 _{13 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.14 The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.15 If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back.16 The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.17 They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.18 As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.19 Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.20 A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.21 Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.22 A foolish man's foot is soon in his [neighbour's] house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.23 A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.24 It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.25 The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.26 The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.27 When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.28 A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.}

Chapter 22 _{1 A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, and every one will hiss him out to his disgrace.2 A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: every man that takes it up will shake his hand.3 An evilnurtured man is the dishonour of his father that begat him: and a [foolish] daughter is born to his loss.4 A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that liveth dishonestly is her father's heaviness.5 She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.6 A tale out of season [is as] musick in mourning: but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.7 Whoso teacheth a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together, and as he that waketh one from a sound sleep.8 He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber: when he hath told his tale, he will say, What is the matter?9 If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of their parents.10 But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred.11 Weep for the dead, for he hath lost the light: and weep for the fool, for he wanteth understanding: make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of the fool is worse than death.12 Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life.13 Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that hath no understanding: beware of him, lest thou have trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries: depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be disquieted with madness.14 What is heavier than lead? and what is the name thereof, but a fool?15 Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear, than a man without understanding.16 As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking: so the heart that is stablished by advised counsel shall fear at no time.17 A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plaistering on the wall of a gallery.18 Pales set on an high place will never stand against the wind: so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.19 He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall: and he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew her knowledge.}