19. The way of an eagle in the sky,the way of a serpent upon a rock,The way of a ship on the high seas,and the way of a man with a woman.
20. This is the way of an adulterous woman:she eats, wipes her mouth,and says, “I have done no wrong.”
21. Under three things the earth trembles,yes, under four it cannot bear up:
22. Under a slave who becomes king,and a fool who is glutted with food;
23. Under an unloved woman who is wed,and a maidservant who displaces her mistress.
24. Four things are among the smallest on the earth,and yet are exceedingly wise:
25. Ants—a species not strong,yet they store up their food in the summer;
26. Badgers—a species not mighty,yet they make their home in the crags;
27. Locusts—they have no king,yet they march forth in formation;
28. Lizards—you can catch them with your hands,yet they find their way into kings’ palaces.
29. Three things are stately in their stride,yes, four are stately in their carriage:
30. The lion, mightiest of beasts,retreats before nothing;
31. The strutting cock, and the he-goat,and the king at the head of his people.
32. If you have foolishly been proudor presumptuous—put your hand on your mouth;