10. Don’t consult with peoplewho view you with suspicion;hide your plans from thosewho are jealous of you.
11. Don’t consult with a womanabout her rival,or with the cowardly about war;or with a merchant about business,or with a buyer about a sale;or with a slanderer about gratitude,or with the unmerciful about kindness;or with the idle about anythinginvolving work,or with an annual laborer aboutfinishing a job;or with a lazy household slaveabout a large task.Don’t look to these personsfor any advice.
12. Consult instead with a godly personwhom you knowkeeps the commandments,who thinks the same way you doand will empathize with you if you fail.
13. Listen carefully to whatyour own heart tells you,since nothing is more faithfulto you than it.
14. At times a person’s intuitionkeeps them informedbetter than seven sentriessitting high up on a lookout.
15. But above everything else,pray to the Most High,so that he may make your path straightin truth.
16. Speech is the beginning of every deed,and planning comes beforeevery action.
17. The key to change is the heart;
18. it poses four possibilities:good and evil, life and death,and their continual masteris the tongue.
19. Some people instruct many,but they are useless to themselves.
20. Some skilled speakers are hated;they will be deprived of any luxuries.
21. The Lord hasn’t granted themany refinement,because they are deprivedof any wisdom.
22. Some people are wise to theirown benefit,and the fruits of their understandingare evident to all.