Chapter 29

Who spurns the yoke of correction shall meet sudden doom, and past all remedy.

When right thrives, the city is all rejoicing; when there be knaves that rule it, all lament.

Glad the father’s heart, when the son takes wisdom for his mistress, nor spends on wantons his patrimony.

Kings by justice or exaction make the fortunes of a state or mar them.

By empty flattery thou mayst lay a snare for thy friend’s feet.

By his own false steps the sinner is entangled; innocence goes singing and rejoicing on its way.

An eye the upright man has for the friendless cause; the sinner is all darkness.

Rashness in a city ruins all; that madness, wisdom must turn aside.

Alas for the wise man that goes to law with a fool! Between bluster and mockery, there is no end to it.

He makes murderous enemies, that lives innocently … and honest men demand his life.

Folly blurts out its whole mind; wise men reserve utterance till by and by.

King that listens to false rumour has a worthless court.

Poor men and their masters dwell side by side, sharing the Lord’s sunlight.

King that gives due redress to the poor has a throne unshakeable.

Wisdom comes of reproof, comes of the rod; leave a child to go its own way, and a mother’s care is wasted.

Thrive the godless, there will be wrongs a many; but the just will yet see them put down.

A son well schooled is rest well earned; great joy thou shalt have of him.

What revel among the host,3 the power of prophecy once withdrawn! Happy is he that keeps the law unbroken.

Word was never yet that would check a slave; he listens only to defy it.

Who is in more perilous case than the fool himself? The man who speaks too soon.

Pamper thy slave young, and breed a pert manservant.

Ever the quarreller breeds strife; quick temper is ever at fault.

Pride will come low; honour awaits the humble.

As thou lovest thy life, aid thieves never; wouldst thou hear appeal made, and keep thy own counsel?

Fear of man’s judgements will bring thee quickly to ruin; in the Lord put thy trust, and rise high above them.

Suitors a many an earthly prince has for his favour; but it is God that judges all.

Eyesores alike, the rogue to honest men the plain-dealer to villains. (Let the son heed a father’s warnings, he shall fear no ruin.6)