Proverbs
Unthoughtful words provoke more misery
Than all the torments of life’s natural pains:
So guard your tongues, that you may not inflict
Unnecessary suffering on any soul.
Vain creatures are we all, and our self-pride
Unhinges reason and deceives the brain;
So guard your thoughts, that you may not bring down
Dishonour’s epithets to stain your name with shame.
With subtle tongues and poses false
Do evil minds seduce their careless prey;
So guard yourself, that you may not succumb
To vicious malefactions cunningly proposed.
Until our foolish hearts all their dissemblings cease,
We never shall achieve our hopes of perfect peace.
