MAN IN HIS FAMILY AND PERSONAL RELATIONS 326. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS TO Train a child in the way he should go, Correct your son, and he will bring you comfort, Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden. A righteous man who lives a blameless life, 327. THE DUTIES OF CHILDREN TO PARENTS My son, hear the instruction of your father, Listen to your father who begat you, And despise not your mother when she is old. He who obeys instruction is an intelligent son. But he who makes friends of profligates brings disgrace on his father. He who heeds correction has the assurance of life, He who robs father or mother, His lamp shall go out in the blackest of darkness. A wise son makes a glad father, Be wise, my son, and make glad my heart, 328. THE IDEAL WIFE A continual dripping on a rainy day A good wife is a crown to her husband, But a shameless one is as rottenness in his bones. A good wife, who can find? She is worth far more than corals. Her husband trusts her completely, And has no lack of gain. She does him good and not harm, She procures wool and flax, And works willingly with her hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, And gives out food to her household. She examines a field and buys it, And develops strength in her arms. She perceives that her profit is good; Her lamp goes not out at night. She lays her hands on the distaff, She fears not snow for her household, Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the council, Strength and honor are her clothing, What she says is full of wisdom, Her children rise and bless her, And her husband praises her, saying: 'Many women have done well, But you excel them all.' 329. FRIENDSHIPS Many a man professes friendship, But who can find one who is trustworthy? There are some friends who are hurtful, And there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Sincere are the wounds of a friend, But profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Oil and perfume rejoice the heart, So does sweet friendship by sincere counsel. A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Walk with the wise and you shall be wise, Clouds and wind and no rain,— So the man who boasts of gifts ungiven. Refuse not a service to your neighbor Say not to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, The liberal man shall be prospered, He who waters shall himself be watered. He sins who despises his neighbor, He is happy who pities the poor. MAN IN HIS ECONOMIC RELATIONS 331. THE PENALTY OF LAZINESS AND THE DIGNITY OF LABOR The appetite of the laborer labors for him, The sluggard says, 'A lion is outside! But does not bring it to his mouth! The lazy man is wiser in his own opinion, Than seven who can answer intelligently. The way of the lazy is hedged in with thorns, But the path of the diligent is a well-built highway. Slack management brings only poverty, But efficiency makes a man rich. I went by the field of the lazy man, Its surface was covered with nettles, A little folding of the hands to rest, He who gathers in summer acts sensibly, 1 |