Go to the ant, you slacker!
Observe its ways and become wise.

One person gives freely,
yet gains more;
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.

The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.

The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.

When a mocker is punished,
the inexperienced become wiser;
when one teaches a wise man,
he acquires knowledge.

The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man;
whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor,
and grogginess will clothe them in rags.

Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.

One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly—
beyond recovery.

A slave pampered from his youth
will become arrogant later on.

Don’t slander a servant to his master
or he will curse you, and you will become guilty.

a servant when he becomes king,
a fool when he is stuffed with food,