As a madman that casteth firebrands, arrows and death,
So is he who deceives his neighbour and cries, “I was only in jest” (Pr. 2618, 19).
Then some advice to
The Boor in Society[55]
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler
Bear in mind his lordship’s presence;
And if thou be a hearty eater,
Put a knife to thy throat (Pr. 231-3).
And, thirdly, in two proverbs,
The Inopportune Man
As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather,
And as vinegar upon a wound;
So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart (Pr. 2520)[56].
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning;
It shall be counted a curse unto him (Pr. 2714).
The last saying prompts the thought that Mr. E. V. Lucas is also among the Sages, for has he not given it as his opinion that “early rising leads to self-conceit, intolerance, and dulness after dinner”? “The old poet,” says he, “was right—
‘When the morning riseth red
Rise not thou but keep thy Bed;
When the Dawn is dull and gray
Sleep is still the better way:
Beasts are up betimes, but then
They are beasts and we are men.’”