1. He who loves his son will frequently chastise him, so that he may be happy in the very end, and not grope for the doors of his neighbors.
2. He who instructs his son will be praised over him and will glory in him, in the midst of his household.
3. He who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends, he will glory in him.
4. When his father has died, it will be as if he were not dead. For he will have left behind someone who is like himself.
5. In his life, he saw him and rejoiced in him. And at his passing, he was not sorrowful, nor was he confounded in the sight of his enemies.
6. For he left behind himself a defender of his house against his enemies, and someone who will repay his friends with kindness.
7. For the sake of the souls of his sons, he will bind up his wounds, and at every voice, his gut will be stirred up.
8. An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a child left to himself becomes headstrong.
9. Coddle a son, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will make you sorrowful.
10. You should not laugh with him; otherwise you may have grief, and in the end, your teeth be clenched.
11. You should not give him power in his youth, but you should not despise his thoughts.
12. Bow down his neck in his youth, and slap his sides while he is a child, lest perhaps he may become stubborn, and then he will not trust you, and so he will bring sorrow to your soul.
13. Instruct your son, and work with him, lest you give offense by his shameful behavior.