People don’t despise the thief if he steals
to satisfy himself when he is hungry.

The one who commits adultery lacks sense;
whoever does so destroys himself.

but the one who misses me harms himself;
all who hate me love death.”

The one who corrects a mocker
will bring dishonor on himself;
the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.

A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.

Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.

One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.

The one who acquires good sense loves himself;
one who safeguards understanding finds success.

The one who keeps commands preserves himself;
one who disregards his ways will die.

A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.

It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
will himself also call out and not be answered.

The one who guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.

There are thorns and snares on the path of the crooked;
the one who guards himself stays far from them.

for it’s like someone calculating inwardly.
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.

A hateful person disguises himself with his speech
and harbors deceit within.

The one who trusts in himself is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

A rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a youth left to himself
is a disgrace to his mother.