“As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman without discretion” (xi. 22). “The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man looketh well to his going” (xiv. 15). The ways of wisdom and folly are frequently displayed in our words:— “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, but he who spareth his words acts wisely” (x. 19). “A soft answer turneth back wrath, but a harsh word raiseth anger” (xv. 1). “Also a fool when silent is considered wise; he who closeth his lips is prudent” (xvii. 28). “He who keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles” (xxi. 23). “By long-suffering the prince is persuaded; and a soft tongue breaketh a bone” (xxv. 15). “Answer not a fool like his folly, lest thou be equal to him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his eyes” (xxvi. 4, 5). The principal virtues recommended to man are righteousness (‏צדקה‎), honesty (‏אמונה‎), truthfulness (‏אמת‎), meekness (‏ענוה‎), industry, thrift, temperance, contentment, and moderation:— “Treasures of wickedness are of no profit, but righteousness delivereth from death” (x. 2). “Better a little in the fear of the Lord than a large treasure, and confusion therewith” (xv. 16). “The righteousness of the upright maketh his way straight, but the wicked falleth by his wickedness” (xi. 5). “The remembrance of the righteous is for blessing; but the name of the wicked will rot” (x. 7). “Guilt is the interpreter of fools, but favour that of the straightforward” (xiv. 9). “To do justice is joy to the righteous, and a terror to evil-doers” (xxi. 15). “Like a fountain made turbid and a well that is corrupted, is the righteous that yieldeth in the presence of the wicked” (xxv. 26). “Where a man of honesty is, there is multitude of blessings; but he who hasteneth to become rich will not be guiltless” (xxviii. 20). “The lip of truth will be established for ever, but the tongue of falsehood for a moment” (xii. 19). “A witness of faithfulness is he who does not lie, but he who uttereth falsehood is a false witness” (xiv. 5). [9] “A lip of excellency becometh not a low man; how much less doth a lip of falsehood a noble man!” (xvii. 7). “Pride came, and shame came; but with the meek is wisdom” (xi. 2). “Meekness cometh before honour” (xv. 33). “Pride cometh before the fall, and haughtiness of spirit before the stumbling” (xvi. 18). “Let another praise thee, and not thy mouth; a stranger, and not thy lips” (xxvii. 2). “He is poor who worketh with a slack hand, but the hand of the industrious maketh rich” (x. 4). “Better is he who thinketh little of himself, and is a slave to himself, than he who thinketh much of himself and lacketh bread” (xii. 9).