6. Don’t brag about yourself before the king,and don’t stand in the place of the great;
7. for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here! ”than to demote you in plain view of a noble.
8. Don’t take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterwardif your opponent humiliates you?
9. Make your case with your opponent without revealing another’s secret;
10. otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you,and you’ll never live it down.
11. A word spoken at the right timeis like gold apples on a silver tray.
12. A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
13. To those who send him, a trustworthy messengeris like the coolness of snow on a harvest day;he refreshes the life of his masters.
14. The man who boasts about a gift that does not existis like clouds and wind without rain.
15. A ruler can be persuaded through patience,and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16. If you find honey, eat only what you need;otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.
17. Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house;otherwise, he’ll get sick of you and hate you.
18. A man giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19. Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult timeis like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.
20. Singing songs to a troubled heartis like taking off clothing on a cold dayor like pouring vinegar on soda.
21. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22. for you will heap burning coals on his head,and the Lord will reward you.
23. The north wind produces rain,and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.