17. An eye that mocks his father, And scorns to obey his mother – Ravens of the wadi dig it out, And young eagles eat it!
18. Three matters are too marvellous for me, And four which I do not understand:
19. The way of an eagle in the heavens, The way of a snake on a rock, The way of a ship in the heart of the sea, And the way of a man with a girl.
20. This is the way of an adulterous woman: She shall eat and wipe her mouth, and say, “I have not done wickedness.”
21. Under three matters the earth trembles, And under four, it is unable to bear:
22. Under a servant when he reigns, And a fool when he is satisfied with food,
23. Under a hated woman who marries, And a female servant who supplants her mistress.
24. There are four matters Which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise:
25. The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
26. The rock badgers are a weak folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags;
27. The locusts have no sovereign, Yet they all go out in formation;
28. A spider takes hold with two hands, And is in sovereigns’ palaces.
29. There are three matters That are going well, And four are good in walking:
30. A lion, which is mighty among beasts And does not turn away from facing all;
31. A greyhound, and a male goat, And a sovereign whose army is with him.
32. If you have been foolish in lifting up yourself, Or if you have plotted evil, Put your hand on your mouth.