him, he recorded, for the use and benefit of all, the teaching of that serene and simple wisdom which is never new and never old—such as the following:—
'A good son is the gift of God.'
'If thou art a wise man, bring up thy son in the love of God.'
'If any one bears himself proudly, he will be humbled by God, who gave his strength.'
'If thou hast become great after having been lowly, and art the first in thy town; if thou art known for thy wealth, and art become a great lord—let not thy heart grow proud because of thy riches, for it is God who was the author of them for thee. Despise not another who may be as thou once wast; be towards him as towards thine equal.'
'With the courage that knowledge gives, discuss with the ignorant as with the learned. Good words shine more than the emerald, which the hand of the slave finds on the pebbles.'
'He who obeys not does really nothing; he sees knowledge in ignorance, virtue in vices; he commits daily and boldly all sort of crimes, and lives as if he was dead. What others know to be death, is his daily life.'
'God lives through all that is good and pure.'
And he concludes:—
'Thus shalt thou obtain health of body and the
favour of the king, and pass the years of thy life
