1Better is a dry morsel with joy, than an house full of sacrifices with chiding.

2A wise servant shall be lord of fond [or foolish] sons; and he shall part heritage among brethren.

3As silver is proved by fire, and gold is proved by a chimney, so the Lord proveth hearts.

4An evil man obeyeth to a wicked tongue; and a false man obeyeth to false lips.

5He that despiseth a poor man, reproveth his maker; and he that is glad in the falling of another man, shall not be unpunished.

6The crown of eld [or old] men is the sons of sons; and the glory of sons is the fathers of them.

7Words well-set together beseem not a fool; and a lying lip becometh not a prince.

8A precious stone most acceptable is the abiding of him that seeketh; whither ever he turneth himself, he understandeth prudently.

9He that covereth trespass, seeketh friendships; he that rehearseth by an high word, separateth them that be knit together in peace.

10A blaming profiteth more at a prudent man, than an hundred wounds at a fool.

11Ever an evil man seeketh strives; forsooth a cruel angel shall be sent against him.

12It speedeth more to meet a female bear, when her whelps be ravished, than a fool trusting to himself in his folly.

13Evil shall not go away from the house of him, that yieldeth evils for goods.

14He that letteth out water, is the head of strives; and before that he suffereth wrong, he forsaketh doom.

15Both he that justifieth a wicked man, and he that condemneth a just [or rightwise] man, ever either is abominable to God.

16What profiteth it to a fool to have riches, since he may not buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh falling; and he that escheweth to learn, shall fall into evils.

17He that is a friend, loveth in all time; and a brother is proved in anguishes.

18A fond [or foolish] man shall make joy with hands, when he hath promised for his friend.

19He that bethinketh discords, loveth chidings; and he that enhanceth his mouth, seeketh falling.

20He that is of wayward heart, shall not find good; and he that turneth the tongue, shall fall into evil.

21A fool is born in his shame; but neither the father shall be glad in a fool.

22A joyful soul maketh liking age; a sorrowful spirit maketh dry bones.

23A wicked man taketh gifts from the bosom, to mis-turn the paths of doom.

24Wisdom shineth in the face of a prudent man; the eyes of fools be in the ends of earth.

25A fond [or foolish] son is the ire [or the wrath] of the father, and the sorrow of the mother that bare him.

26It is not good to bring in harm to a just [or rightwise] man; neither to smite the prince that deemeth rightfully.

27He that measureth his words, is wise and prudent; and a learned man is of precious spirit.

28Also a fool, if he is still, shall be guessed a wise man; and, if he presseth together his lips, he is guessed an understanding man.