Moff PROV Chapter 12

12 

He who cares to know cares to be set right,

but he who hates to be admonished is a stupid creature.

2 

A good-natured man has the goodwill of the Eternal,

but He passes sentence on malicious men.

3 

No man can hold his own by doing wrong,

but never shall the good man be uprooted.

4 

A good wife is an honour to her husband:

a shameless wife rots all his strength away.

5 

The aims of a good man are honourable:

the plans of a bad man are underhand.

6 

Knaves speak of secret bloodshed,

but men are helped by plans of honest men.

7 

When bad men are thrown down, they disappear:

a good man’s house stands firm.

8 

A man is praised as he shows insight:

a brainless creature is despised.

9 

Better a man of low rank, with a servant,

than one who makes a show and has to do his own work.

10 

A good man cares even for his beast,

but the bad man has a cruel heart.

11 

The man who works his farm has plenty of food;

a man of useless interests has no sense.

12 

Vice proves a net for vicious men,

but a good man’s root remains untouched.

13 

By sins of the lips bad men get into trouble:

good men get out of trouble.

14 

A man reaps the result of all his words,

and he must answer for his deeds.

15 

A fool is sure that his own way is right:

sensible men will listen to advice.

16 

A fool shows instantly that he is angry:

a prudent man ignores an insult.

17 

A man who gives true evidence furthers justice:

dishonest witnesses further injustice.

18 

A reckless tongue wounds like a sword,

but there is healing power in thoughtful words.

19 

Truth told endures:

a lie lasts only for a little while.

20 

Fraud is the aim of evil-minded men,

but those who plan the good of others prosper.

21 

Injustice is no pleasure to the good,

but evil men are full of all injustice.

22 

Liars are loathsome to the Eternal,

but the sincere are a delight to him.

23 

No cautious man blurts out all that he knows,

but a fool comes out with his folly.

24 

The diligent will get the upper hand,

but slothful men will end as serfs.

25 

Worry weighs a man down:

a kind word cheers him up.

26 

The good man gives a lead to his neighbour,

a bad man’s life will lead himself astray.

27 

The lazy man will not hunt game for himself:

a diligent man is a rare treasure.

28 

To live aright is the way to live for long:

wrongdoing is the road to death.