4. A leader of good judgment gives stability;an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.
5. A flattering neighbor is up to no good;he’s probably planning to take advantage of you.
6. Evil people fall into their own traps;good people run the other way, glad to escape.
7. The good-hearted understand what it’s like to be poor;the hardhearted haven’t the faintest idea.
8. A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;a group of sages can calm everyone down.
9. A sage trying to work things out with a foolgets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.
10. Murderers hate honest people;moral folks encourage them.
11. A fool lets it all hang out;a sage quietly mulls it over.
12. When a leader listens to malicious gossip,all the workers get infected with evil.
13. The poor and their abusers have at least something in common:they can both see—their sight, God’s gift!
14. Leadership gains authority and respectwhen the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
15. Wise discipline imparts wisdom;spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
16. When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild,but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.
17. Discipline your children; you’ll be glad you did—they’ll turn out delightful to live with.