Let him who seeks an honourable life by the titles of virtues read these precepts devoutly and fulfil them in deed; whether he desires to be held illustrious among men, or by the merits of his conduct to deserve the heavenly kingdoms, and to be seen at last as a companion of Christ his God without end. Let him himself fulfil God's will, who wishes his own wishes to come. Live trusting in God, following the precepts of Christ. Let your riches be the teachings of the divine law. The Lord's blessing will make your riches renowned. The prudence of the mind surpasses the strength of the body. Wisdom is better than all the treasures of the world. The doctrine of good things is always indeed to be loved. The best spirit is one clothed in the love of Christ. Against the demons prayer is a great power. Do not cease to admonish a dear friend.
The cause of evil disease is any excessive pleasure. Do not close your palms to give, and open them to take. Let good words of salvation ever resound in your mouth. Do not, I beg, let your mind meditate bitter revenge. Let your manners be peaceful with great sweetness. Beware lest your own victory cause you regret. Bear a father's command, even when he breaks out in angry words. Behold, each day of life is to be thought of as the last. Do not promise with words what you cannot give. A friend who can be of profit is not to be shunned. Strive to conquer the eightfold troops of the vices. Let the chariot filled with salvation carry you to heaven. Let the tongue have its reins bound fast in the heart. A man cannot be good unless he becomes fair to all.
He who hides his crimes does not perhaps deserve pardon. He who unlearns good things soon grows accustomed to the wicked. Do not, I pray, wound anyone with jests or with song. More often you are instructed by hearing than you enjoy by speaking. Let the belly be the servant of the mind; let lust be its servant. He who seems to give freely loses nothing of his goods. A good reputation is not given by riches, but by kindly manners. Act so that another may not deservedly mock you with words. For a wretched companion, pity him and pour out your tears. Snatch away weapons from a madman, if you can; do not hand them to him. Often a master's flattering pity harms a boy. Never prefer an unknown man to a known friend. Whatever men say, do not be willing to believe it all. Let no one live for himself, but let him live everywhere for Christ. Seek not your own, but Christ's, you who love Him.
Love not yourself, not the world, but Christ alone. When speaking with a wise man, use very few words. The eyes profit nothing when the mind is blind to seeing. The poor man's groan is a great reproach to the rich. To the one who learns, wisdom always grows greater. Judgement remains most surely for all deeds. The Judge will come who will requite just things to all. Glorious patience grants everlasting life. Moderation will make you more renowned than fierceness. Constancy of mind will make excellent manners. Whatever you have to do, I pray, do it with counsel. For every age labours under some burden. As a young man, deem true the maxims of the ancients. Happy is he who pleads his case in the ear of a prudent man. Words have only as much worth as the mind perceives them to have.
He is rich for all who abounds in honourable things. A new friend is not to be set before an old one. With difficulty you will perhaps find a true friend. By excellent manners make for yourself an honourable name. No one indeed has had more friends than he loses. To whom is he of profit, who is proved of no profit to a companion? Faith alone shall be enriched by the kindly gift of faith. Let not a light care of a tormenting matter weary you. A serious matter always indeed declares itself honourably. What is worse than that a wicked dweller should join himself to one? Do not accustom yourself to wicked deeds or words. It is indeed better not to be than to live wickedly. A good mind surpasses all treasures in worth. Guard your life indeed with all virtue. All things must be given up for the sake of guarding life.
Things foreseen will indeed be more easily endured. Things that come suddenly seem much heavier. A pious and kindly ruler is the joy of his people. Another's death warns us everywhere of our own death. Happy is he whose lessons are another's scourges. He who bestows good things on an ingrate will receive no reward. Let a man be dear to you, as a brother; let God be dear as a kindly father. Every hour gradually brings us nearer to death. Before the day of death no one stands as praiseworthy. Every tree is known by its own fruit. He will be a great teacher who fulfils in deeds what he teaches. What you wish to be done to you, remember to render this to another. For the just poor the heavenly glory remains. What you would not wish for yourself, do not do to anyone else. Keep an even weight, and hold the balance just.
Let there be no double measure for you, nor a double balance. Reprove the prudent man: thanks will be returned for your words. If you do what is right, do not care for the words of evil men. Do not despise a servant's useful counsel, O master. Among guests be modest in your speech. When you have sinned in anything, chastise yourself thereupon. You heal wounds by harshness; pain is the medicine of pain. The Lord's blessing will make your riches renowned. Happy clemency grants eternal life. Use the wealth you have sought, but flee the name of a miser. Learn, but from the learned; teach the unlearned yourself. Do not contend in words against the wordy. Speech is given to many, wisdom of soul to few. Let not happy things exalt your spirit, nor sad things crush it. Be next to the good, if you cannot be the best.
The greater you are, the more cautious you should be. And when you judge another, first inspect your own life. As a judge you will condemn your own crimes more than another's. Be good and to the good; when wronged, do not harm the one who harms. A friend who can be of profit is not to be shunned. When you are prosperous, beware of adverse things. The things you are wont to blame, do not do these yourself. Let another's life be the teacher of your own life. Anger begets hatred; concord nourishes love. Let all your speech now be seasoned with the salt of wisdom. Great indeed is the virtue of the moderation of our tongue. Believe in God, and then direct your own steps for yourself. Light, the fear of the Lord, is of the heart: love it always. Hoping in the Lord, no one is ever confounded.
A man prudent in mind is better than one strong in arms. Wisdom of mind excels the strength of the body. Do not attend to riches unjust to the soul. A sweet word will indeed multiply friends for you. Do not delay to turn to the Lord by the straight path. Be not pliant even to varied doctrines. For let the most firm way of the Lord ever hold you. Let words of justice and peace please you when you speak. Peace, I pray, let kindly peace ever please you in your mouth. Let pious words of salvation ever resound in your mouth. A wise king better defends his people from the enemy. A foolish ruler will scatter his whole people. Just wisdom is indeed a great glory to a king. Do not avenge your own injuries upon your brother. The greedy man always loves lies, thefts, and plunderings.
Let what God Himself has given you suffice in things. Why does earthly man, dust and earth, grow proud? The beginning of wickedness, alas, consists in dreadful pride. Let your care be the light of salvation, with all your strength. A single day shows what sort of friends men were. If you have sinned alone, do not forgive yourself. What you wish kept silent, entrust to a silent companion. Remember to avoid envy by excessive display. The wicked plague of envy stains an honourable reputation. Do nothing without counsel, for thus deeds are approved. He who believes in the Lord keeps the commandments of salvation. For the wise man always fears for himself the wrath of the Judge. Do at once whatever lot hands you to be done. Do not stay frequently with an unjust man. Neither does flowing water return, nor our time over the years.
The devouring end lays waste all the joys of the world. He who is pious and merciful, the Lord will have mercy on him. By no means lay complaints in mind upon your good deeds. Never reproach, if you have given any small gift. Let every mind first weigh the words of its speech. Entrust the body's aid to a faithful physician. While you are able, ever do good to a dear friend. Thus let a new friend and new wine grow old. In adverse circumstances never dismiss a friend. A faithful friend always loves and endures. The kindly day follows the night; so let gifts follow toils. While the times vary, let the spirit be ever honourable. By the counsel of the mind foresee beforehand whatever threatens. While life flourishes for you, cleanse evil crimes with tears. Do not repeat the sin, while you wash it away with tears.
Do not serve in mind the malicious indulgences. He who despises small things diminishes greater ones hour by hour. Every faithless man is taken away from the number of the saints. The fool hates the words of the wise teacher. The wordy man stirs his bitter brothers to laughter. Nothing is worse than he who rejoices in wicked crime. Most cautiously discern to whom you may entrust your secrets. Reprove the sinner; and do not dismiss a friend. It is better to reprove a known friend than to lose him. He who forgives his brother, Christ forgives him too. The wise man observes for himself the time for speaking in his mouth. The fool speaks a despised word without season. The talkative man strips the soul of honourable merits. For it is a great glory to fear God and the Lord. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord from the mind.
Fire proves gold; temptation proves just men. Hope in the Lord, and mercy will come to you. Love Christ, you who desire the good joys of heaven. The father's blessing makes children happy. Do not ever afflict the mind of the poor and wretched. Wisdom, that is Christ, always loves the one loving Him. Be not swift in tongue, nor slow in deed. A false witness through speech will not be unpunished. The Lord's blessing adds many riches. Now render a great gift to a humble friend with a small one. A friend always loves: love is more precious than gold. He will be rich who always works hard in the field. To him who pursues idleness, want will always come. A man faithful in mind is better than all riches. The number of the just surpasses the kingdoms of the powerful.
Behold, he who fears the Lord shall live happy years. The just man joyfully awaits heavenly joys. The wicked man looks for dreadful punishments for his crime. A people headed by an impious ruler falls headlong. Gentle clemency prepares everlasting life. He who pursues good things rises well in the early hour. The tongue of the wise brings forth the salvation of many. In war the strong right hand prevails over enemies. And the sluggard shall serve under the hard burden of toils. A peaceful tongue acquires many friends for itself. Set bars and bolts upon your words and speeches. He who fears the precepts of God dwells in peace. For good doctrine will bestow everlasting salvation. He who corrects his son with the rod loves him.