Every friend saith, 'I am thy friend also;' but there is a friend which is only a friend in name, which bringeth grief even unto death; and in all these things supplicate the Most High, that He may guide thee in truth in the straight path. 20. The word is the beginning of every work, and counsel before action.

Every companion and friend turneth into enmity. Among people there is one who is cunning and tutored for many, yet profiteth himself naught. And among them is one who claimeth wisdom, yet his speech is hateful; such a one is deprived of all strength, for he hath not obtained favour from the Lord, seeing he is not at all wise. The wise man teacheth his people, and the fruits of his mind are good. The wise man shall be filled with blessing, and every one that seeth him shall call him blessed.

O mischievous invention, whence didst thou descend and cover the dry land with treachery?

Some friends will be merry with their friends in prosperity, but in adversity will become their enemy.

Some friends for their stomach's sake will find with their friend, and will bear the shield in battle.

Forget not thy friend in thy heart, and overlook him not while thou art prospering.

Consult not him that watcheth for thee, and keep thy counsel from him that envieth thee.

Every counsellor giveth counsel, but there is a counsellor who counselleth only for himself.

Beware for thyself from the counsellor, and inquire first concerning his need; for he will counsel that which profiteth him.

Lest he cast the lot upon thee, and say unto thee,

Thy way is good, and then stand over against thee, watching what shall befall thee.

Consult not the hypocrite concerning piety, nor the unjust concerning justice, nor a woman concerning her rival, nor a coward concerning war, nor a merchant concerning exchange, nor a buyer concerning selling, nor an envious man concerning a grateful deed, nor a rude man concerning gentleness, nor a sluggard concerning any work.

Nor a rude man concerning gentleness, nor a sluggard concerning any work. 14. Nor poor hired servants concerning the completion of work, nor an idle man concerning much labour. Give no heed to these for any counsel.

But associate with a righteous man whom thou knowest to keep the commandments.

And whose soul is as thine own, and if thou fall, he will grieve for thee.

And take counsel with thy heart, for there is no counsellor more faithful than it.

For a man's soul may tell him the truth more than seven watchmen that sit on high on a watchtower.

The countenance showeth the change of the heart. Four things proceed from the heart: good and evil, life and death; and that which ruleth over these at all times is the tongue.

And some, whose wisdom is for themselves, and the fruits of their mind are good in speech.

The life of a man is but a few days, but the days of Israel are without number.

The wise man shall inherit the confidence of his people, and his name shall live forever.

My son, try thyself in thy lifetime, and see what is harmful to thee, and abstain from it.

For not everything is profitable for every man, neither doth every soul find pleasure in every matter.

Be not gluttonous for every pleasure, and be not insatiable for meats.

For overeating causeth sickness, and gluttony leadeth to colic.

Many have perished by gluttony, but the temperate man shall increase in life.