1. Better is a good reputation than precious oil and the day of death than the day of birth.
2. Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind —and the living should take it to heart.
3. Grief is better than laughter, for though the face is sad, the heart may be glad.
4. The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in a house of pleasure.
5. Better to hear a rebuke from the wise than to listen to the song of fools.
6. For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is vapor.
7. For extortion drives a wise man crazy, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8. Better the end of a matter than its beginning. Better a patient spirit than a proud one.
9. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the bosom of fools.