1
The one who does this will not become rich; one who despises small things will fail little by little.
2
Wine and women lead intelligent men astray, and the man who consorts with prostitutes is reckless.
3
Decay and worms will take possession of him, and the reckless person will be snatched away.
4
One who trusts others too quickly has a shallow mind, and one who sins does wrong to himself.
5
One who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned,
6
but one who hates gossip has less evil.
7
Never repeat a conversation, and you will lose nothing at all.
8
With friend or foe do not report it, and unless it would be a sin for you, do not reveal it;
9
for someone may have heard you and watched you, and in time will hate you.
10
Have you heard something? Let it die with you. Be brave, it will not make you burst!
11
Having heard something, the fool suffers birth pangs like a woman in labor with a child.