Son of Proverbs (Ben mishle)

Mid-11th Century

About This Entry

These proverbs are written as short rhymed and metered poems. They were collected and copied together by Samuel ha-Nagid’s son Yehosef into a collection called Son of Proverbs (Ben mishle), alluding to the biblical book of Proverbs. Ben mishle is generally focused on moral dicta or practical guidelines. While some of the aphorisms in these excerpts express timeless themes, others reflect some of the customs of the day.

I crave for your mercies today,—never mind that they are preserved for me in your treasure house.

To be sure I am promised for tomorrow eighty pieces of silver,—give me but eight of the eighty, now!

Of what value is it to the man who dies today of thirst to know that tomorrow rain will descend from the clouds?

And who can say that when your goodness arrives, I will not be lying in the grave among the dead.

When you are poor—ride a lion’s back to get

Your food, and do not beg from others.

Be not envious, for desire will

Sadden your heart before it does others.

Because of his wealth, the rich man’s friends increase and of him

The mighty ask for favors, and through his possession he prospers.

The poor man tries to succeed, but his poverty gets set

And leaps heavily upon his back and puts him down.

My son, do not devise evil in your heart against your friend,

And do not bring him to disgrace.

Take not even the wisest women into your confidence,

And do not experiment by drinking deadly drugs.

He will incite you to evil with dream-like talk,

And with words of poetry he will urge you to deception.

My son, not every dream comes true,

Neither are all the words of the poet veritable!

Walls and enclosures are made for the woman.

She is in her glory in a prepared bed and with spinning yarn;

Her face reflects the harlotry of the highways.

Therefore do we weave for her a veil and a covering.

Be patient in taking revenge on an enemy, even if many days pass

Before the time comes when you have the power to slay him.

Learn from the baby birds who dwell on the cliffs of the rock;

They do not budge until they have grown feathers.

My son, do not mix your drinks and vow to abstain from strong wine and intoxicating beverages;

It brings out the whore in a woman and leads to poverty and want for the man.

Do not drink and be led to anger against men, and do not envy those who imbibe to intoxication.

Consider that the goblet will destroy your vigor and will make hell out of your life.

There are those who drink both evening and morning and end up with their houses disturbed and destroyed

And thereby get to be poor and lose their honor among men in the bargain.

For what good is it that your heart flies like a winged bird, like a buoyant angel or a swift camel?

I awakened him from his drunken state and reproved him when he vomited,—but he understood not, nor did he know or remember.

And I pleaded with him and said, “Where is your wealth?” but he didn’t care for that which he lost or sold.

He was laughed at among men but was not embarrassed, even in the gates,—and his mouth was closed, even shut tight.

War at the outset is like a beautiful maid

With whom everyone wishes to flirt.

At the end it is like a despised hag

Bringing tears and sadness to whomever she meets.

When you are depressed, make strong your heart,

Even while standing at death’s door.

There is light in the candle before ‘tis put out,

And in the gored lion, a roar.

Translated by Leon J. Weinberger.

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Credits

Samuel ha-Nagid, Son of Proverbs (Ben mishle), from Jewish Prince in Moslem Spain: Selected Poems of Samuel ibn Nagrela, ed. and trans. Leon J. Weinberger (University, Ala.: University of Alabama Press, 1973), 114–18. Used with permission of the publisher.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.