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;
33. For as the churning of milk produces curds,and the pressing of the nose produces blood,the churning of anger produces strife.