For to think upon her is perfectness of understanding, and he that watcheth for her sake shall quickly be free from care. Because she goeth about, herself seeking them that are worthy of her, and in their paths she appeareth unto them graciously, and in every purpose she meeteth them. For her true beginning is desire of discipline; and the care for discipline is love of her; And love of her is observance of her laws; and to give heed to her laws confirmeth incorruption; And incorruption bringeth near unto God; So then desire of wisdom promoteth to a kingdom. If therefore ye delight in thrones and sceptres, ye princes of peoples, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for ever. But what wisdom is, and how she came into being, I will declare, and I will not hide mysteries from you; but I will trace her out from the beginning of creation, and bring the knowledge of her into clear light, and I will not pass by the truth; Neither indeed will I take pining envy for my companion in the way, because envy shall have no fellowship with wisdom. But a multitude of wise men is salvation to the world, and an understanding king is tranquillity to his people. Wherefore be disciplined by my words, and thereby shall ye profit. * * * * * =7= I myself also am mortal, like to all, and am sprung from one born of the earth, the man first formed, And in the womb of a mother was I moulded into flesh in the time of ten months, being compacted in blood of the seed of man and pleasure that came with sleep. And I also, when I was born, drew in the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth, uttering, like all, for my first voice, the selfsame wail: In swaddling clothes was I nursed, and with watchful cares. For no king had any other first beginning; But all men have one entrance into life, and a like departure. For this cause I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and there came to me a spirit of wisdom. I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and riches I esteemed nothing in comparison of her. Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all the gold of the earth in her presence is a little sand, and silver shall be accounted as clay before her. Above health and comeliness I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her bright shining is never laid to sleep. But with her there came to me all good things together, and in her hands innumerable riches: And I rejoiced over them all because wisdom leadeth them; though I knew not that she was the mother of them. As I learned without guile, I impart without grudging; I do not hide her riches. For she is unto men a treasure that faileth not, and they that use it obtain friendship with God, commended to him by the gifts which they through discipline present to him. * * * * *