FEAR God, and strengthen thyself to serve Him, for He formed thee to do Him honour. Think little of thy honour in comparison with His, and lower thine eyes in His presence. Understand that he who honours His Master will be honoured, and receive glory before Him.

Flee from dominion, yea, even if it pursue thee to lay hold of thee, and fly from it when it does follow after thee; for her race is swift, when thou fleest from her, until she overtake thee. But if thou shouldst follow and run after her, yea, while in thy flight thou hast her by the heel, she will thrust thee off.

Find thine honour in delightful actions; why try to find it in haughtiness of heart? Understand that a man's pride is his shame, and leads him on to follow as a dog; whilst the lowly in spirit is oft placed at the head of a people, however despised he may be in his own sight, however much the derision in which he may be held.

One who is boastful of his learning and anxious to rejoice in a great name like that of men of renown, and is continually mounting higher in the flights of his proud imagination, flitting and hovering over the habitations of the great—as regards such a one, have nothing to do with him, and measure not thyself according to his intelligence and learning, for his learning is that of fools.

Should thy heart be exalted on account of the position and honour which fall to thy lot, and shouldst thou imagine in the greatness of thy thoughts that all that befalls thee is in consequence of thine own strength; understand, that in proportion to thy ascent on high will be the down-grade, resulting in thy destruction.

For three things men are honoured in life, but two of them have slippery edges. Men are honoured either for their wealth or for their station, commanding strong positions. But does not such honour turn at the turn of Fortune? And what remains of it all but a stumbling-block?

The third heritage of honour, however, is given to thee of God; this is the real honour; thou canst acquire it by God's service and by a lowly disposition, if thou leadest it on gently. But in the day on which thy heart becometh proud, it vanisheth and departeth as the traveller at his opportunity.

Modesty, which is the heritage of birth, will never leave thee unto the finish; but if thou hastenest to show thyself in the perfume-house (of fame), in the sight of man it will disappear on that very day. It may be likened to good wine which has settled on its lees, but which, on being poured out, loses its scent and flavour.

Fear God, and honour thy parents, for in their honour thou wilt ever find thine own honour. Realise and call to mind the toil which they have endured on thy account, and consider when thou wilt be able to help them in their labours. He who dispenseth rewards will surely repay thee the kindness and consideration which thou showest to those who have loaded thee with their bounties.

Canst thou forget her who did nurse thee and gave thee suck, though she be grown old? Wouldst thou mock at thy father now grown grey? Who knoweth whether thou wilt even inherit their gold, or whether, in the whirligig of Time, they may not inherit that which is thine? Maybe old age will be thy lot, and thou wilt find thy reward both in this world and in the next.

Show thyself great in giving every man the respect due to him, and then thou wilt receive honour and respect accordingly; for when thou dost esteem thyself lightly, thou wilt raise thyself in men's estimation and win a good prize. So think little of thine own honour in the presence of thy King, and be humble and subservient to Him.