Moff PROV Chapter 20

20 

Wine means mockery, liquor means brawling

there is no sense in reeling under drink.

2 

A king’s threat scares men, like a lion roaring;

he who provokes him is in danger.

3 

It does men honour to keep clear of strife:

a fool quarrels with everyone.

4 

In the cold season a lazy man will not plough

so he expects a crop in vain at harvest.

5 

A man’s mind may lie deep as water in a well

but a clever man will draw it from him.

6 

Many a person is called kind,

but a trustworthy man is a rare find.

7 

A blameless, upright man—

happy are the children who come after him!

8 

A monarch seated on the throne of justice

scatters all crime before him.

9 

Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,

I am pure and sinless”?

10 

Different weights and different measures,

the Eternal loathes them alike,

11 

Even a child is known by what he does,

as he behaves well or ill.

12 

The ear that hears, the eye that sees,

the Eternal made them both.

13 

Love not sleep, lest you fall into poverty:

waken, and you will have ample food.

14 

“Poor stuff! poor stuff!” a man says, as he buys

but when he leaves, he boasts about his bargain.

15 

Gold, wealth of rubies, jewels rare--

such are wise words.

16 

He has gone bail for a man?-- then seize him!

hold him to what he has pledged!

17 

Food won by fraud has a sweet taste,

but later on the mouth gets filled with gravel.

18 

Take counsel when you form a plan,

and have some policy when you make war.

19 

Talebearers let out secrets:

have nothing to do with a gossip.

20 

He who curses his father or his mother,

his lamp of life will go out in black darkness.

21 

Money made hurriedly at the start

turns out unblessed at the end.

22 

Never say, “I will revenge my wrongs”;

wait for the Eternal to help you.

23 

Different weights are loathsome to the Eternal;

a false balance is unfair.

24 

Man’s movements are controlled by the Eternal;

then how can any understand his life?

27 

Man’s conscience is the lamp of the Eternal,

flashing into his inmost soul.

25 

’Tis perilous to say rashly, “This is sacred!”

and then reconsider your vow.

26 

A wise king scatters wicked men;

he drives hard over them.

28 

Kindness and duty are a king’s safeguard;

his throne rests upon justice.

29 

A young man’s strength is his charm;

and grey hairs make an old man beautiful.

30 

Blows and bruises tell for good

they go deep into the very soul.