A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.

For like the crackling of quick-burning thorns under a cooking pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This kind of folly also is useless.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.

Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool; otherwise you might die before your time.

For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins.

This alone have I discovered: God made humankind upright, but they have sought many evil schemes.

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, for the oppression of the king is severe upon his victim.

Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is.

One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

He who watches the wind will not sow, and he who observes the clouds will not reap.

Banish emotional stress from your mind. and put away pain from your body; for youth and the prime of life are fleeting.

Here is another enigma that occurs on earth: Sometimes there are righteous people who get what the wicked deserve, and sometimes there are wicked people who get what the righteous deserve. I said, “This also is an enigma.”

So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.

For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.

So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive?

It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings.

What I have continually sought, I have not found; I have found only one upright man among a thousand, but I have not found one upright woman among all of them.

When I tried to gain wisdom and to observe the activity on earth – even though it prevents anyone from sleeping day or night –

The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd.