hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them both.

Wine and music rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both.

The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both.

A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband.

Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both.

Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: counsel is esteemed above them both.

but

The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.

Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.

The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.

Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?

Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman's heart in travail.

Dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.

It is not meet to despise the poor man that hath

understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man.

Necessary patience in seeking the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide. He that is hasty to give credit, is light minded; and be that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.

Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.

A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.

He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh.

The heart of a man changeth his countenance, whether it be for good or evil: and a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.

A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity; and the finding out of parables is a wearisome labour of the mind.

A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.

A man's attire, and excessive laughter, and gait, shew what he is.

A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.

A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.

There be three things that mine heart feareth; the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation.

There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.

In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.

Ecclesiastes.

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourn

ing; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

A fool's voice is known by multitude of words, for in many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

Wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgement.

Proverbs.

Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than

great treasure and trouble therewith.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.

Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well-advised is wisdom.

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgement cometh from the Lord.

Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.