1. A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of one’s death than the day of one’s birth.
2. It is better to go to a house of mourningthan to go to a house of feasting,since that is the end of all mankind,and the living should take it to heart.
3. Grief is better than laughter,for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.
4. The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning,but the heart of fools is in a house of pleasure.
5. It is better to listen to rebuke from a wise personthan to listen to the song of fools,
6. for like the crackling of burning thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool.This too is futile.
7. Surely, the practice of extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe destroys the mind.
8. The end of a matter is better than its beginning;a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.
9. Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry,for anger abides in the heart of fools.
10. Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these? ” since it is not wise of you to ask this.