1Contend not with a mighty man,
Lest haply thou fall into his hands.
2Strive not with a rich man, lest haply he overweigh thee:
For gold hath destroyed many,
And turned aside the hearts of kings.
3Contend not with a man that is full of tongue,
And heap not wood upon his fire.
4Jest not with a rude man,
Lest thine ancestors be dishonoured.
5Reproach not a man when he turneth from sin:
Remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
6Dishonour not a man in his old age;
For some of us also are waxing old.
7Rejoice not over one that is dead:
Remember that we die all.
8Neglect not the discourse of the wise,
And be conversant with their proverbs;
For of them thou shalt learn instruction,
And how to minister to great men.
9Miss not the discourse of the aged;
For they also learned of their fathers:
Because from them thou shalt learn understanding,
And to give answer in time of need.
10Kindle not the coals of a sinner,
Lest thou be burned with the flame of his fire.
11Rise not up from the presence of an insolent man,
Lest he lie in wait as an ambush for thy mouth.
12Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself;
And if thou lend, be as one that hath lost.
13Be not surety above thy power:
And if thou be surety, take thought as one that will have to pay.
14Go not to law with a judge;
For according to his honour will they give judgement for him.
15Go not in the way with a rash man,
Lest he be aggrieved with thee;
For he will do according to his own will,
And thou shalt perish with his folly.
16Fight not with a wrathful man,
And travel not with him through the desert:
For blood is as nothing in his sight;
And where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.
17Take not counsel with a fool;
For he will not be able to conceal the matter.
18Do no secret thing before a stranger;
For thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
19Open not thine heart to every man;
And let him not return thee a favour.