My son, if thou hast become surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand for a stranger,

For at the window of my house, I looked forth through my lattice,

The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool rusheth into it.

For as he thinketh in his soul, so is he. Eat and drink! will he say unto thee; but his heart is not with thee.

For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

Wisdom is too high for a fool: he will not open his mouth in the gate.

Take his garment that is become surety for another, and hold him in pledge for a strange woman.

To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.