8. It is better to finish something than to start it. It is better to be gentle and patient than to be proud and impatient.
9. Don’t become angry quickly, because anger is foolish.
10. Don’t say, “Life was better in the ‘good old days.’ What happened?” Wisdom does not lead us to ask that question.
11. Wisdom is better if you also have property. Wise people will get more than enough wealth.
12. Wisdom and money can protect you. But knowledge gained through wisdom is even better—it can save your life.
13. Look at what God has made. You cannot change a thing, even if you think it is wrong.
14. When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember that God gives us good times and hard times. And no one knows what will happen in the future.
15. In my short life, I have seen everything. I have seen good people die young, and I have seen evil people live long lives.
16-17. So why ruin your life? Don’t be too good or too bad, and don’t be too wise or too foolish. Why should you die before your time?
18. Try to be a little of this and a little of that. Even God’s followers will do some good things and some bad things.
19-20. Surely there is no one on earth who always does good and never sins. But wisdom can make one person stronger than ten leaders in a city.
21. Don’t listen to everything people say. You might hear your own servant saying bad things about you.
22. And you know that many times you too have said bad things about other people.