Above all, thy true and faithful companion thou shouldst know, his faults to pardon and to forgive his sins; the man who is ever ready to seek offence, keep at arm's length, let him meet his own kind.

Experience will teach thee that good more or less lurketh in everything, save in the attachment of fools; be it, there-fore, thy rule to avoid them altogether.

Adopt the advice honestly given to thee which agreeth with thine own common sense; but reject the counsel that is approved by thine own base desire.

Choose an associate who will always be thine, and ready to serve thee as thine own hand, bending before thee in all things, as though a true slave all in thy power.

Take heed to pay to thy companions true regard, so that they be bound as friends, closely attached to thee; bestow on them all thought and heart, when they make their call, provide for them a proper place, a cosy seat, and comfort during their stay; and while they speak, open thou thy ears to catch their every word.

Two couples are closely attached, like threads in the weaver's loom; they are Silence, the sister of Goodwill, and the Darer, who to the Doer is kin (lit., "and the Tempter, who is brother to the Murderer").

Change not a friend that is old and dear for a new, while the old one is heart and heart with thee still. Contemn not a man because he doth err. Let not one man be despised of thee; in like manner, a thousand friends will never suffice; let thy substance and silver win them for thee.

The substance and the wealth of man, though wingless, fly away; but correction is a treasure true; there is no fortress like a friend.

Choose a comrade in whom thy heart believeth; for a man who hath not such a friend, is as the left hand without the right.

Choose among men the comrade in whom thy heart can safely trust; throw off the brother who, with deceitful heart, doth build the traitor's home, though he wash it white and clean.

If only by the flesh we go, among kinsmen near we claim a brother; but if we think of soul and spirit, we call our friend our kith and kin. When with men thou wouldst mix, choose him who will not lead thee astray, so as to cause thee to stumble and fall, And all through life with this one aim, a man will suffer to serve his friend; and when he finds him sorely tried, he'll labour hard to set him free.

Be thou ready and first thy companion to greet, and to give him warm welcome and an honourable place; and when thou dost call him, and wish to address him, be sure that thou call him by his dear pet name.

There is no greater boor on earth than he who, looking out for all men's errors, attacheth blame to them, while he doeth just the very same; and while he his own defects doth hide, and will not see his faults, he looketh round and findeth fault with all that others do.

Companions may, in truth, be classed in threefold groups: attend to these, and thou soon wilt learn the mystery. Some comrades act as food to men, thy endless joys depend on them; the boast and worth of others seem like drugs, for certain times prescribed; there are those, too, who, like recurring sickness lurk, and bring naught but endless harm to health.

To join with fine natures is a source of great pride; to join with the senseless bringeth pain and remorse.

Choose him for thy friend who will always be thy pride, who, when aught thou dost want, will be ready to help thee; or, when thou dost utter what is in thy mind, in him thou shalt find a champion bold; or, should it e'en fare thy temper thou lose, he'll bear with thy words at all times and all seasons.

He may be called a fast friend and true who, with all his strength and might, will raise thee on high.

The friendship of a stupid man is bound to end in sorrow; a wise man will find relief and refreshing if he hold aloof from him

The best of beasts require the whip; the best of wives their lord and sire; the wisest man advice doth need, without it will his wisdom lack.

Between thy two selves thy friend to task do call; and if thy reasoning he will not heed, then tax him further in the presence of a third. If he take the caution, regard him as a gain; but if he yield not, think him wanting in sense; he will scarcely be missed when his number is called.

Reprove not, and waste not your words on a man; for if his own sense upbraid not, how can another reprove?

How good it is to mix with men who know their worth and station! Turn far from him who's not of these; in his friendship there is no blessing.

The friendship that is perfect is always free from feud and strife; the truest sign of friendship is two hearts made one for ever.

Always join and never part from the man of fine spirit and unruffled mind; in his attachment and friendship thou thyself shalt be courted, and in the face of all men thou shalt be acknowledged.

Esteem the friend who chideth thee at any time, but not in the presence of another; and let him think he hath gained thereby some part at least of thy power and possession.

Plant the love of thy friend in thy very life's soil, as thou wouldst labour to fasten the pegs to thy tent; and if thou wilt plant it with liberal root, it will be borne on the tongue, as fruit on the branches are borne.

The eye of a needle is not too narrow to hold two friends that agree; the breadth of the world is not sufficiently wide to contain in its fold two foes.

Dost thou wish to prove thy friend, to know if he be false or true, ask thine own heart to act as diviner, and the truth it will surely divine.

Trust not the man who boreth thee with his troubles, but keepeth from thee his joys; his tongue may be all smooth for thee; his friendship's but alloy.

Love thou the man who first hath done thee good, and return him help and kindness; so love the man thou hast gained as friend, for in his heart thy friendly acts all friendliness do blend.

Love thy friend more than thou wouldst thy brother; for until he becometh my truest friend, how can I love even a brother?

Hid deep in the heart true friendship is found, its impression is sealed on the tongue; men's hearts are as mirrors that see eye to eye, their secrets are never revealed.

Play not the hypocrite with thy friend, nor by questioning people pry into his secrets, lest thou meet with a man who will blacken his name, and so estrange from thee his friendship.

Deal freely with thy friend with all thy wealth and very life; do likewise unto thy kinsmen with thy substance, mind, and speech; be courteous unto all men, and greet them on thy way; and as for thine enemy, be thou liberal and kind unto him, when he is sorely in need of thy charity and service.

Beware of the man who loveth thee when it suiteth the occasion, and serveth his purpose; for he will quickly turn his back when thou findest out his true aim and way.

Impart, as in winnowing, thy love to a friend, and never reveal the secret of another; when thine enemy cometh to make peace with thee, implore thou God on his behalf.

Put not thine hand to a thing if thou wilt not complete it, so that the reward be not lost. If thou once say "Yes," with regard to a matter, never change it to "No."

If thou find a companion whose thoughts thou art able to gauge, cleave unto him; for men's faults are beyond mortal ken; this one thou knowest thoroughly, then stand by him.

Like an earthenware vessel is the love of a fool; once it is broken, to its former condition it will never return; the friendship that is formed between men of discretion is like a vessel of gold, hard to break, and easily mended.

With the froward and haughty indeed it will go like an earthenware vessel, when knocked, it is broken beyond repair; but the man of good sense and discretion will be like glittering gold; he will brighten when beaten, and be roused to do better.

Not at once, but by steps and degrees, disclose thy deep love for thy friend; as, not at once, but month by month, the tree bringeth forth its new fruit, so confess thy love by degrees, and fulfill thy friend's desire.

Beware of evil companionship, where nothing is wise or right; for by associating with the evil-disposed, thou wilt learn every bad habit and trait.

The man who can live with a woman of ill-heart showeth, indeed, what is patience, and more, what is skill; he resembleth the wolf of the forest, forsooth, which never changeth its nature, though it changeth its hair.

What wound or eruption is like unto her who leaveth her husband to lead her own life? In his heart she doth rankle as a bad, putrid sore; though sick of her, rid of her ne'er he can be. What disease can equal such suffering of soul, such affliction of heart, and grief without end?

In making thy choice, take thy seat with the best, and thou shalt be honoured by God and by man; but if with the senseless thou chooseth to sit, thy comrades will lead thee to naught but disgrace.

Tis not good that man, though wise, should gain his end always. 'Tis not wealth that hath the power to hide one's guilt from view; where wisdom ruleth, man's faults and crimes may soon be blotted out of sight. Let silence as a muzzle to thy mouth be e'er applied; and see, too, that thy words are few, and cautiously restrained. If knowing this, thou dost not heed this sage advice, 'tis better far thy bones should perish in the grave.

The man who rusheth in where his honour and fame are at stake, dare not quarrel with the world, if they suspect him of evil intent.

There are four things which lead men on to strife and ruin dire: haughtiness, and stubbornness, indolence, and rashness of desire.

The companionship of a foolish man is as a tooth that giveth pain; for both there is but one and the same cure: pluck it out. Thou canst not long endure his wicked senseless talk; for soon, indeed, without delay, thy love will turn to hate.

Change not the charms which grace thy wife for another woman's charms; for, leading thy good sense astray, lust means to play thee false. A wiser man than thou once fell, King Solomon was his name; then see that thou art truly wise, and fall not in sin's way.

Of all choice things a friend do choose; seek his wishes to fulfil, however great *the task,*¹ = 108, the number of lines in this section.] and thus his friendship set upon thy heart.

footnotes: ¹ ["The task"