11
Do not consult with a woman about her rival or with a coward about war, with a merchant about barter or with a buyer about selling, with a grudging man about gratitude or with a merciless man about kindness, with an idler about any work or with a man hired for a year about completing his work, with a lazy servant about a big task -- pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.
12
But stay constantly with a godly man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul is in accord with your soul, and who will sorrow with you if you fail.
13
And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
14
For a man's soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.
15
And besides all this pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.
16
Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.
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As a clue to changes of heart
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four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
19
A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.
20
A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,
21
for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom.