Rhymed Proverbs
His alone is wisdom, to rule the species:
wild beasts and cattle and all terrestrial creatures.
To him alone was thought given, to meditate,
to distinguish good from evil, to direct every deed.
To him, too, was given expression of tongue and lips1
and the thoughts of the heart, revealed by opening the mouth.
His are the delights of the earth and the delicacies of its produce.
His are the fragrance of spices and all its growths.
His are silver and fine gold and treasures of fortune.
His are precious ornaments and festive garments.
His are the earthly enjoyments and all kinds of wealth.
His, too, are the soul’s cravings and the heart’s desires.
To him was given understanding to know the law of the Supreme,
laws leading to eternal life and the secret radiant light.
Radiant is the moon, that sliver of heavenly light,
yet all lights pale before that of wisdom.
Splendid are the crowns of earthly majesty,
yet before the crown of wisdom all crowns fade.
Gold and jewelry are pretty to behold,
but the beauty of wisdom puts them in the shade.
Do not be the first of speakers at the assembly,
nor speak at length when you sit among your fellows.
Who deals the first blow, even if he be stronger,
will get hot coals on his head as his reward.
Good counsel will save a great multitude,
better in time of crisis than weapons of battle.
A rich man of halting speech will be honored by all,
but the poor will be despised despite his eloquence.
The rich man stands aloof, yet all approach him;
the poor man draws near, and all avoid him.
The rich man goes crookedly and is praised by all;
the poor man walks uprightly, and all curse him.
The rich man puts others in his service and is received in love;
the poor man serves others but is treated with contempt.
The rich man cheats and wins in court;
the poor man is cheated and loses his case.
The friends of the rich make his face beam;
the friends of the poor man make his face blanch.
They help the rich man without reward,
but we do not help the poor man even if we are paid.
A gift may be small, yet it is counted
as many gifts given with open hand.
The beginning of good is shunning the wicked,
but joining their company is the beginning of sin.
Translated by Leonard S. Levin.
Notes
[The illegible part of the word can be filled out as safah (lip), which would avoid redundancy and agree with the parallel passage in Sa‘īd ben Bābshād.—Trans.]
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.
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