CHAPTER XXI.
Blessed is he that hath a full drum; and those that wait without the bazaars, they shall look upon it with envy.
2 A little love warmeth the blood; but much love, it is a consuming fire.
3 Wherefore, beware of the damsel with ruddy locks. For if it be so, assuredly she will devour thee up; but if it be of henna, a draught of spring water will serve thee equally.
4 Beware of all women, and avoid thou them that would undo thee.
5 For the ways of those do grow in artfulness; neither is there any man that can stand up against them.
6 Now there is a certain woman, and she hath hair of a length; it is like unto silk also, and the colour of it allureth the eye.
7 Verily, that woman will contrive that thou shall loosen the pin of it. Yea, in thy clumsiness, thou shalt bring it down.
8 For it is a snare with which she seeketh to entrap thee; and the cunning of her maketh thee her tool in the matter of thine own enticement.
9 List not to the voice of the tale-bearer, and the scandalmonger shalt thou abhor with a great abhorrence.
10 For what hast thou to do with virtue? And who art thou to prescribe thy neighbour's life?
11 Verily, rumour raceth like the wind; it groweth quicker than light when the sun riseth. And scandal, it is the father of more children than are.
12 Judge not a man according to the look of him, else shalt thou be many times deceived.
13 For the brightest button, is it the chief upon thy raiment? Nay, neither doth it support thy necessary garment.
14 The young man, he loveth easily, but at two score years he waxeth discreet.
15 The damsel, she loveth easily, and at two score years she waxeth easier.
16 In the heat of the desert, then think of Hell, for it is a pleasant thought that will comfort thee somewhat.
17 Thine enemy hurleth a missile. It cometh through the air for to out thee. If thou art a fool, remove not from that place. But if thou art wise, then haste thee quickly away.
18 For every snail hath its shell, and he getteth it on his back; but the laggard, he getteth it in the neck.
19 Howbeit, it is not always the quick man that goeth first over the top.
20 A damsel inclineth towards thee. She regardeth thee with soft eyes and there is meaning in her glance.
21 Peradventure thou hast a blot upon the beauty of thy face which annoyeth thee continually. Nevertheless, she will not see it.
22 At the largeness of thine ears, at the uprightness of thine hair, at thy teeth that were made for thee, she will look at none of these.
23 But if thy pocket be empty, lo, she will see them all. Neither will she forgive thee for being what thou art.
24 Woe unto man that be born upon earth, neither is there any help in him save only death.
25 For whosoever liveth his years in solitude, his old age shall be full of desolation. But whosoever taketh unto himself a wife, that man's last days, they shall be an abomination unto him.
26 Take heed, my son, and hearken unto the words of Artemas, for there are many that will give thee counsel, yet wisdom cometh only from the few.