He who doth choose charity for a fortress will find men of their own accord humble themselves before him; against all daily accidents and dire calamity, there's naught to shield a man like deeds of kindness.

A two-fold debt thy neighbour doth claim, observe it, inscribe it on thy heart; all kindness deal, all ill withhold, lest soon he strive with thee.

A two-fold debt thy kinsman doth claim; let this be thy constant rule; though he refuse to give to thee, give thou to him; though he keep far away from thee, be thou ever at his side.

If thou wilt but reflect that all thy sustenance is given by the grace of God and His mercy, thou wilt come to see that Heaven hath placed in thy hands the poor man's dues, even the food of him who lacketh all things.

He who pitieth not his kith and kin, yet giveth of his wealth to strangers, is like unto her who giveth suck unto her neighbour's child, while her own doth pine from starvation and want.

He who much wealth and riches doth gather by means not just and right, is like unto him who thinketh that without pegs and cords his tent will stand erect and firm.

The man who giveth not according to his wealth, but is close-fisted and mean, will, by Heaven's decree, lose power over his wealth, for it will go to the rulers on earth.

Tis hard to rise and win the heights, but easy is the fall; just like this stone, though large, it will easily roll down, but hard it is to raise it.

As the spirited horse, though famished and worn, keepeth straight to his course, and falleth not by the way, even so is the generous of heart with his gifts; another to stay, he'll go foodless himself.

Tis not for wealth, but for name and fame, that the liberal of heart do care; but the miser will tarnish his honour and name in trying to save his glittering treasure.

Though fortune smile upon thee now, thou canst not tell if she will turn to thee another time.

The generous will promise, and promptly pay, before men for payment apply; but the miser delayeth his vow to pay, perchance some pretext may come forth by the morrow.

Shouldst thou be asked to promise a thing, and thou art afraid and feareth regret, rather say "No" than yield with a "Yea," for by giving it not, thou wouldst stumble and sin.

When thou has said "Yes," to a thing bear it, and fulfil thy word; for having said "Yes," it is to thy shame to say "No," and thus abstaining, to break thy word.

Deal kindly while the breath of life is within thee, ere hither¹"=25, the number of lines in this section.] and thither thou flittest, and thy righteousness goeth before thee.

footnotes: ¹ ["Hither