Chapter 28

Bad conscience takes to its heels, with none in pursuit; fearless as a lion the unreproved heart.

Short reigns and many, where a land is plagued for its guilt; by wise counsel, and men’s talk overheard, long lives the king.

Tempest threatens and famine when poor men oppress the poor.

Sound teaching is forgotten, where the wrong-doer is well spoken of; honest folk will still be up in arms.

No skill the knave has to discern the right; quest of the Lord’s will makes that craft perfect.

Better a poor life lived honestly than crooked ways that bring riches.

A son’s wisdom is to obey his father’s teaching, not to shame him by keeping riotous company.

Wealth that the usurer by extortion amassed, a more generous than he shall have the spending of.

Turn a deaf ear to thy teachers, and thy prayer shall be all sacrilege.

Ruin he brings on himself, that leads the innocent into ill ways, and honest men shall be the heirs of him.

Wisdom he claims, that wealth has; yet there is many a poor man will put him down.

A fair sight it is, to see honest folk rejoicing; knaves’ rule is the people’s ruin.

Never shalt thou thrive by keeping sin hidden; confess it and leave it, if thou wouldst find pardon.

Blessed evermore is the timorous conscience; it is hardened hearts that fall to their ruin.

Nation without bread and prince without scruple, here is ravening lion and hungry bear all at once.

Let prince lack prudence, everywhere is wrongful oppression; less covetous, he should have lived longer.

Compass thou a man’s death, thou mayst flee to the depths of earth, none will shield thee.

Keep the path of innocence, and thou shalt be safe; at one blow the double-dealer shall fall.

Till field and fill belly; idleness shall have a bellyful of nothing but want.

Of honesty comes much honour, and how shall wealth reach thee suddenly, yet leave thy hands clean?

Great wrong it is to sell judgement; wouldst thou barter truth away for a mouthful of bread?

Eye on his rivals in the race for wealth, a man sees nothing, when want is hard at his heels.

More thanks thou wilt have, in the end, for honest reproof than for designing flattery.

Shall he who robs father or mother make light of it? He is next door to a murderer.

Jostling pride it is that stirs up enmity; trust in the Lord, and thou shalt prosper.

He is a fool that trusts his own wit; follow the rule of wise men, if thou wouldst reach safety.

Give to the poor, and nothing lack; turn away from their plea, and blessing thou shalt have none.

When knaves flourish, all the world takes to hiding; come they by their end, thou shalt see honest folk abroad.