Better is a modest spirit with the humble, Than to divide spoil with the proud. A good name is better than great riches, More highly valued than silver and gold. He who trusts in riches shall fail, But the upright flourish like a green leaf. Toil not that you may become rich; Cease through your own understanding. Should you set your eyes upon it, it is gone! For riches fly away, Like an eagle that flies toward heaven. Better is little with reverence for the Lord Than great treasure and trouble as well. Two things I ask of thee, O God, Deny me them not ere I die: Put far from me deceit and lying, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Provide me with the food that I need, That I may not be filled to the full and deny thee, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or else be poor and steal, And disgrace the name of my God. RIGHT EATING AND DRINKING If you find honey, eat only what you need, That you may not be too full and be ill. Wine is a mocker, strong drink makes one quarrelsome, And whoever is misled by it is not wise. Who cries, "Woe"? who, "Alas"? Who has quarrels? Who complains? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? They who linger long over wine, They who go in to taste mixed wine. So look not on wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, And glides down smoothly. At last it bites like a snake, And stings like an adder. Then you will see strange things, And your mind will be confused. You will be like one sleeping at sea, Like one asleep in a violent storm. "I have been struck, but I feel no pain; I have been beaten, but I know it not. When shall I awake from my wine? I will seek it yet again." THE RIGHT USE OF THE TONGUE Do you see a man who speaks before he thinks? There is more hope for a fool than for him. He who answers before he hears Covers himself with confusion. He who is sparing of words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of sense. Even a fool, if he keeps still, is considered wise; Prudent, if he keeps his lips shut. He who guards his mouth and tongue Guards himself against trouble. Life and death are in the power of the tongue; They who are fond of using it must eat its fruit. A man has joy from the utterance of his mouth, And a word in season, how good it is! A word fitly spoken Is like golden fruit in silver settings. Pleasant words are like honeycomb, Sweet to the taste and healing to the body. THE CONTROL OF THE TEMPER