10. Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend.Do not go to a relative’s home when you are in trouble.A neighbor living nearby is better than a relative far away.
11. Be wise, my son, and make my heart gladso that I can answer anyone who criticizes me.
12. Sensible people foresee trouble and hide.Gullible people go ahead ⌊and⌋ suffer.
13. Hold on to the garment of one who guarantees a stranger’s loan,and hold responsible the personwho makes a loan in behalf of a foreigner.
14. Whoever blesses his friend early in the morning with a loud voice—his blessing is considered a curse.
15. Constantly dripping water on a rainy day is like a quarreling woman.
16. Whoever can control her can control the wind.He can even pick up olive oil with his right hand.
17. ⌊As⌋ iron sharpens iron,so one person sharpens the wits of another.
18. Whoever takes care of a fig tree can eat its fruit,and whoever protects his master is honored.
19. As a face is reflected in water,so a person is reflected by his heart.
20. Hell and decay are never satisfied,and a person’s eyes are never satisfied.
21. The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold,but a person ⌊is tested⌋ by the praise given to him.
22. If you crush a stubborn fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,⌊even then⌋ his stupidity will not leave him.
23. Be fully aware of the condition of your flock,and pay close attention to your herds.