<p class="poetry">Do not be one who strikes hands in pledgep> <p class="poetry">or who puts up security for debts.p>

<t /><p class="poetry">My child,<n id="2" /> if you have made a pledge<n id="3" /> for your neighbor,p> <p class="poetry">and<n id="4" /> have become a guarantor<n id="5" /> for a stranger,<n id="6" />p>

<p class="poetry">The one who puts up security for a stranger<n id="1" /> will surely have trouble,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">but whoever avoids<n id="3" /> shaking hands<n id="4" /> will be secure.p>

<p class="poetry">The heart knows its own bitterness,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and with its joy no one else<n id="2" /> can share.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Take a man&#8217;s<n id="1" /> garment<n id="2" /> when he has given security for a stranger,<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">and when he gives surety for strangers,<n id="4" /> hold him<n id="5" /> in pledge.p>

<p class="poetry">The one who goes about gossiping<n id="1" /> reveals secrets;p> <p class="poetry">therefore do not associate<n id="2" /> with someone who is always opening his mouth.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Take a man&#8217;s<n id="1" /> garment when he has given security for a stranger,p> <p class="poetry">and when he gives surety for a stranger,<n id="2" /> hold him in pledge.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">The one who lacks wisdom<n id="1" /> strikes hands in pledge,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">and puts up financial security<n id="3" /> for his neighbor.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">Fear the <sc>Lordsc>, my child,<n id="1" /> as well as the king,p> <p class="poetry">and do not associate<n id="2" /> with rebels,<n id="3" />p>