My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,
Have given a pledge for a stranger,

A man lacking in sense pledges
And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd,
But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.

Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.

Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

He who loves pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.

Do not be among those who give pledges,
Among those who become guarantors for debts.

“They struck me, but I did not become ill;
They beat me, but I did not know it.
When shall I awake?
I will seek another drink.”

Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become weary of you and hate you.

Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for an adulterous woman hold him in pledge.

If a ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.

Under a slave when he becomes king,
And a fool when he is satisfied with food,