1. The person who loves his sonswill discipline them oftenso that he may be gladabout how they turn out.
2. Whoever instructs his sonswill benefit from them,and he will boast about themamong his acquaintances.
3. The person who teaches his sonswill make his enemy jealous,but among his friendshe will rejoice over them.
4. When their father passes away,it is as if he hadn’t died,because he left behind sonswho are like him.
5. When he was alive,he saw them and was glad,and at his end, he wasn’t grieved.
6. He was survived by thosewho would avenge himagainst his enemiesand who would repay kindnessto his friends.
7. A parent who spoils children nowwill end up tending to their wounds,and will experience heartacheat every outcry.
8. A horse that is unbrokenturns out stubborn,and a child, when given free rein,turns out reckless.
9. Indulge children,and they will terrorize you;play with them,and they will grieve you.
10. Don’t laugh together with them,so that you don’t suffer togetherand in the endgrind your teeth in regret.
11. Don’t give them free rein in their youth.
12. Bruise their sideswhile they are still young,or else they will become stubbornand disobey you.
13. Educate your children, and work on them,so that you don’t end up offendedby their shameful behavior.
14. It is better to be poor,but healthy and strong,than a rich personwhose body is afflicted.
15. Being healthy and fitis better than any gold,and a strong spiritis better than untold riches.
16. No wealth is better than a healthy body,and no gladness is better than happiness in one’s heart.
17. Death is better than a bitter life,and eternal rest isbetter than chronic illness.
18. Good things that are poured outon a closed mouthare the same as food offeringsplaced on a grave.
19. Of what use is an offering of fruitto an idol?It can’t eat or smell.The person whom the Lord punishesis like this,
20. looking with the eyes and groaninglike a eunuch who embracesa young woman and groans.
21. Don’t let grief take you over,and don’t distress yourself on purpose.
22. A joyful heart means lifefor a human being,and a person’s rejoicingprovides long life.
23. Distract yourself, cheer yourself up,and keep grief far away from youbecause grief has destroyed many,and there’s no benefit in it.
24. Jealousy and angershorten a person’s life,and anxiety brings old agebefore its time.
25. Those who are cheerfuland contented at mealswill attend well to their food.