Using Common Sense
1 Do not challenge a person who has influence; you may fall into his power. 2 Do not quarrel with someone rich; he may bribe people to turn against you. Gold has destroyed many people and corrupted kings. 3 Don't argue with someone who talks too much; you will just be adding fuel to his fire. 4 Don't make fun of someone who has bad manners; he may insult your ancestors. 5 Don't criticize someone if he is already turning away from sin. Remember that we are all guilty. 6 Never think less of someone because he is old; some of us are growing old, too. 7 Don't be happy over the death of anyone; remember that all of us must die.
8 Do not disregard what the wise have said. Study their proverbs; from them you can learn to be cultured and to serve great people. 9 Pay attention to what old people say, for they learned from those who came before them. You can learn from them, and they can teach you how to have an answer ready when you need one.
10 You should not provide a sinner with more opportunity to sin. You might get hurt yourself; it's as easy as getting burned while adding logs to a fire. 11 You should not get up and walk out on someone who is insolent. He might twist your words and use them against you. 12 You should not lend anything to someone more powerful than you. If you do, you might as well consider it lost. 13 You should not guarantee anyone else's loan to an extent that you cannot afford. You must be prepared to pay any such guarantee. 14 You should not bring a lawsuit against a judge. He will win because of his position. 15 You should not travel with anyone who is reckless. It will cause you nothing but trouble. He will do any foolish thing he pleases, and you will die with him.
16 You should not get into an argument with anyone who has a hot temper or go to some place where the two of you will be alone. Violence means nothing to such a person, and he will attack you when there is no one to help you. 17 You should not ask a stupid person for advice. He will not be able to keep secret what you tell him. 18 You should not do anything in front of a stranger that should be kept secret. There is no way of knowing what will happen if you do. 19 You should not reveal your most private thoughts to anyone. If you do, you may as well throw away any chance of happiness.
1 Strive not with a mighty man’ lest thou fall into his hands.
2 Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.
3 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.
4 Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.
5 Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
6 Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.
7 Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.
8 Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.
9 Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.
10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.
11 Rise not up in anger at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words
12 Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.
13 Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.
14 Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.
15 Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.
16 Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.
17 Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.
18 Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
19 Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.