1He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod,
That he may have joy of him in the end.

2He that chastiseth his son shall have joy in him,
And shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance.

3He that teacheth his son grieveth the enemy:
And before his friends he shall rejoice of him.

4Though his father die, yet he is as though he were not dead:
For he hath left one behind him that is like himself.

5While he lived, he saw and rejoiced in him:
And when he died, he was not sorrowful.

6He left behind him an avenger against his enemies,
And one that shall requite kindness to his friends.

7He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds;
And his bowels will be troubled at every cry.

8A horse not broken becometh headstrong:
And a child left to himself will be wilful.

9Cocker thy child, and he shall make thee afraid:
Play with him, and he will bring thee to heaviness.

10Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him,
And lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end.

11Give him no liberty in his youth,
And wink not at his follies.

12Bow down his neck while he is young,
And beat him on the sides while he is a child,
Lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto thee,
And so bring sorrow to thine heart.

13Chastise thy son, and hold him to labour,
Lest his lewd behaviour be an offence unto thee.

14Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution,
Than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.

15Health and good state of body are above all gold,
And a strong body above infinite wealth.

16There is no riches above a sound body,
And no joy above the joy of the heart.

17Death is better than a bitter life
Or continual sickness.

18Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up
Are as messes of meat set upon a grave.

19What good doth the offering unto an idol?
For neither can it eat nor smell:
So is he that is persecuted of the Lord.

20He seeth with his eyes and groaneth,
As an eunuch that embraceth a virgin and sigheth.

21Give not over thy mind to heaviness,
And afflict not thyself in thine own counsel.

22The gladness of the heart is the life of man,
And the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days.

23Love thine own soul,
And comfort thy heart,
Remove sorrow far from thee:
For sorrow hath killed many,
And there is no profit therein.

24Envy and wrath shorten the life,
And carefulness bringeth age before the time.

25A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet.