"Do not indulge in immoderate laughter": that is, restrain the unstable parts of your nature.
"Do not stir fire with a sword": that is, do not return angry words to an angry man, for "hatred ceaseth not by hatred but by love—this is an everlasting truth."
"Turn away from yourself every sharp edge": that is, control your passions.
"Nourish nothing which has crooked talons or nails": that is, cultivate only kindliness of disposition.
"Help a man to take up a burden but not to lay it down": that is, by toils and sorrows men are strengthened.
"Do not step above the beam of the balance": that is, live a life of perfect justice.
"Spit not upon the cuttings of your hair or the parings of your nails": that is, even trifles are important.
"Destroy the print of the pot in the ashes": that is, correct all mistakes.
"Put the shoe on the right foot first but put the left foot first into the bath-tub": that is, act uprightly and honestly, washing away all impurities.
"Look not in a mirror by lamplight": that is, do not be misled by the phantasies of the senses, but be guided by the pure, bright light of spiritual knowledge.