4. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of rejoicing.
5. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for man to hear the song of fools.
6. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool. That too is futile.
7. For oppression makes a wise one mad, and a bribe destroys the heart.
8. The end of a matter is better than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9. Do not be hasty in your spirit to be vexed, for vexation rests in the bosom of fools.
10. Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not wise of you to have asked about this.
11. Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and an advantage to those who see the sun.
12. For wisdom protects as silver protects, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.