ons according to his own dictates. He doeth what he willeth.... The
great man can effect by the mere lifting up of his hand what a [poor]
man cannot. Since the eating of bread is according to the dispensation
of God, a man cannot object thereto.

"If thou art a man whose duty it is to enter into the presence of a
nobleman with a message from another nobleman, take care to say
correctly and in the correct way what thou art sent to say; give the
message exactly as he said it. Take great care not to spoil it in
delivery and so to set one nobleman against another. He who wresteth the
truth in transmitting the message, and only repeateth it in words that
give pleasure to all men, gentleman or common man, is an abominable
person.

"If thou art a farmer, till the field which the great God hath given
thee. Eat not too much when thou art near thy neighbours.... The
children of the man who, being a man of substance, seizeth [prey] like
the crocodile in the presence of the field labourers, are cursed because
of his behaviour, his father suffereth poignant grief, and as for the
mother who bore him, every other woman is happier than she. A man who is
the leader of a clan (or tribe) that trusteth him and followeth him
becometh a god.

"If thou dost humble thyself and dost obey a wise man, thy behaviour
will be held to be good before God. Since thou knowest who are to serve,
and who are to command, let not thy heart magnify itself against the
latter. Since thou knowest who hath the power, hold in fear him that
hath it....

"Be diligent at all times. Do more than is commanded. Waste not the time
wherein thou canst labour; he is an abominable man who maketh a bad use
of his time. Lose no chance day by day in adding to the riches of thy
house. Work produceth wealth, and wealth endureth not when work is
abandoned.

"If thou art a wise man, beget a son who shall be pleasing unto God.

"If thou art a wise man, be master of thy house. Love thy wife
absolutely, give her food in abundance, and raiment for her back; these
are the medicines for her body. Anoint her with unguents, and make her
happy as long as thou livest. She is thy field, and she reflecteth
credit on her possessor. Be not harsh in thy house, for she will be more
easily moved by persuasion than by violence. Satisfy her wish, observe
what she expecteth, and take note of that whereon she hath fixed her
gaze. This is the treatment that will keep her in her house; if thou
re