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who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright: at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

On Industry and Sloth.

Proverbs.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep : so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an

idle soul shall suffer hunger.

As the door turneth

upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his haud in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well; I looked upon it, and received instruction.

MORAL SENTENCES, MAXIMS, &c.

Ecclesiasticus.

Sweet language will multiply friends and a fair speaking tongue will increase kind greetings. The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.

The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.

Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.

For the hand of the artificer the work shall be commended: and the wise ruler of the people for his speech.

He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.

The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.

The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.

To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.

There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise and another by much babbling becometh hateful.

Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.

There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.

There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing. A patient man will bear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.

of

He will hide his words for a time, and the lips many shall declare his wisdom.

Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear.

A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.

If a skilful man hear a wise word he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back.

There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,

Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware.

And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will

do evil.

All flesh consorteth according to kind, and a man will cleave to his like.

What fellowship hath the wolf with the lamb? so the sinner with the godly.

Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.

Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?

Children and the building of a city continue a man's name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both.

The father awaketh for the daughter, when no man knoweth; and the care for her taketh away sleep when she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age; and being married, lest she should be hated.

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A tale out of season is as music in mourning; but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.

Bountifulness is a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever.

To labour, and to be content with that a man

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