<t /><p class="poetry">Wisdom, like<n id="1" /> an inheritance, is a good thing;p> <p class="poetry">it benefits those who see the light of day.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool?<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">And what advantage<n id="2" /> does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive?<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">How does that benefit him?<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">So do not be excessively righteous or excessively<n id="1" /> wise;<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">otherwise<n id="3" /> you might<n id="4" /> be disappointed.<n id="5" />p>

<p class="poetry">So I thought to myself, &#8220;The fate of the fool will happen even to me!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively<n id="2" /> wise?&#8221;<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">So I lamented to myself,<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;The benefits of wisdom<n id="5" /> are ultimately<n id="6" /> meaningless!&#8221;p>

<t /><p class="poetry">Not only was the Teacher wise,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">but he also taught knowledge to the people;p> <p class="poetry">he carefully evaluated<n id="2" /> and arranged<n id="3" /> many proverbs.p>

<t /><p class="poetry">Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">There is no end to the making<n id="2" /> of many books,p> <p class="poetry">and much study is exhausting to the body.<n id="3" />p>