1 Don’t fight with powerful people,or you might fall into their hands.
2 Don’t argue with rich people,since they might outmatchyour resources;for gold has destroyed many,and it has turned asidethe hearts of kings.
3 Don’t fight with talkative people,adding fuel to their fire.
4 Don’t make fun of the uneducated,or your ancestors might be insulted.
5 Don’t reproach someoneturning away from sin;remember that we are allworthy of punishment.
6 Don’t dishonor people in their old age;some of us are growing old as well.
7 Don’t celebratebecause someone has died;remember that we all will pass away.
8 Don’t neglect the conversationof the wise,but keep returning to their proverbs,because you will learn instructionfrom them,how to minister to dignitaries.
9 Don’t reject the words of the aged,because they also learnedfrom their elders,and you will learn understandingfrom themand how to give an answerwhen it is necessary.
10 Don’t stoke up the coals of a sinner,and don’t let his fire set you ablaze.
11 Don’t rise out of your seatin the presence of insolent persons,because they might set a trapfor what you say.
12 Don’t lend to peoplewho are more powerful than you,but if you do lend,treat it as though it were lost.
13 Don’t guarantee a loanbeyond your ability,and if you do guarantee one,consider that you will need to pay.
14 Don’t go to court with a judge;people will judge himaccording to his prestige.
15 Don’t walk on the roadwith reckless people,or you will bearthe weight of your mistakes.They will walk wherever they want,and you will be destroyedbecause of their foolishness.
16 Don’t get in a fightwith hot-tempered people,and don’t travel through the desertwith them,because spilling blood is nothing to them,and where there’s no one to help,they will strike you down.
17 Don’t consult with fools,because they can’t keep a secret.
18 Don’t do anything in front of strangersthat should be kept hidden,for you don’t know what they will reveal.
19 Don’t open your heart to just anyone,and don’t accept a favor from just anyone.