How oft, and of how many, shall he be laughed to scorn! * * * * * A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue; so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily. A man without grace is as a tale out of season; it will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. A wise sentence from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he will not speak it in its season. * * * * * There is that is hindered from sinning through want; and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled. There is that destroyeth his soul through bashfulness; and by a foolish countenance he will destroy it. There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend; and he maketh him his enemy for nothing. * * * * * A lie is a foul blot in a man: it will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. A thief is better than a man that is continually lying; but they both shall inherit destruction. The disposition of a liar is dishonour; and his shame is with him continually. He that is wise in words shall advance himself; and one that is prudent will please great men. He that tilleth his land shall raise his heap high; and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity. Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs. Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is out of sight, what profit is in them both? Better is a man that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom. * * * * * =22= A slothful man is compared to a stone that is defiled; and every one will hiss him out in his disgrace. A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: every man that taketh it up will shake out his hand. * * * * * A father hath shame in having begotten an uninstructed son; and a foolish daughter is born to his loss. A prudent daughter shall inherit a husband of her own; and she that bringeth shame is the grief of him that begat her. She that is bold bringeth shame upon father and husband; and she shall be despised of them both. Unseasonable discourse is as music in mourning; but stripes and correction are wisdom at every season. * * * * * He that teacheth a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together; even as one that waketh a sleeper out of a deep sleep. He that discourseth to a fool is as one discoursing to a man that slumbereth; and at the end he will say, What is it? Weep for the dead, for light hath failed him; and weep for a fool, for understanding hath failed him; weep more sweetly for the dead, because he hath found rest; but the life of the fool is worse than death. Seven days are the days of mourning for the dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man, all the days of his life. * * * * *