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1 Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep
2 Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober
3 The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods
4 The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need
5 Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it
6 Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty
7 Gold is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice for it. Woe to those who pursue it eagerly, for all the imprudent will perish by it
8 Blessed is the rich man who is found to be without blemish. And blessed is he who has not gone after gold, nor placed his hope in money or treasures
9 Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life
10 He has been tested by it, and has become perfect; he will have eternal glory. He was able to transgress, but he has not transgressed. He was able to do evil, but he has not done evil
11 Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving
12 Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first
13 You should not speak in this way: “There are many things that are upon it.
14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil
15 What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face
16 You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed
17 You should not press forward at a feast
18 Understand which things are your neighbor’s and not your own
19 Make use of the things that are set before you, just as a frugal man would. Otherwise, if you eat much, you will be hated
20 Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend
21 And if you sit in the midst of many, you should not extend your hand before they do, and you should not be the first to ask for a drink
22 How sufficient is a little wine for a well-taught man! For in sleep, you will not labor because of it, and you will not feel pain
23 Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man
24 A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him
25 And if you have been coaxed into eating too much, rise up, go outside, and vomit. And it will refresh you, and you will not bring sickness upon your body
26 Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words
27 In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you
28 The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful
29 The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true
30 Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many
31 Fire tests the hardness of iron; similarly, drinking wine to inebriation will rebuke the hearts of the arrogant
32 Drinking wine in sobriety gives a contented life to men. If you drink it in moderation, you will be sober
33 What is life to him who is diminished by wine
34 What can cheat him of his life? Death
35 From the beginning, wine was created for cheerfulness, but not for inebriation
36 Wine taken in moderation lifts up the mind and the heart
37 Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body
38 Wine taken in excess stirs up conflict and anger, and brings many to ruin
39 Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul
40 The effects of inebriation are a stumbling block to the imprudent, diminishing strength and causing wounds
41 You should not argue with your neighbor during a banquet of wine. And you should not spurn him in his cheerfulness
42 You should not speak words of reproach to him. And you should not press him with repeated requests
Catholic Public Domain Version