22 ¹ The indolent may be compared to a filthy stone,
and every one hisses at his disgrace.
22 ² The indolent may be compared to the filth of dunghills;
any one that picks it up will shake it off his hand.

22 ³ It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son,
and the birth of a daughter is a loss.
22 ⁴ A sensible daughter obtains her husband,
but one who acts shamefully brings grief to her father.
22 ⁵ An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband,
and will be despised by both.
22 ⁶ Like music in mourning is a tale told at the wrong time,
but chastising and discipline are wisdom at all times.

22 ⁷ He who teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together,
or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.
22 ⁸ He who tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man;
and at the end he will say, "What is it?"
22 ¹¹ Weep for the dead, for he lacks the light;
and weep for the fool, for he lacks intelligence;
weep less bitterly for the dead, for he has attained rest;
but the life of the fool is worse than death.
22 ¹² Mourning for the dead lasts seven days,
but for a fool or an ungodly man it lasts all his life.

22 ¹³ Do not talk much with a foolish man,
and do not visit an unintelligent man;
guard yourself from him to escape trouble,
and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off;
avoid him and you will find rest,
and you will never be wearied by his madness.
22 ¹⁴ What is heavier than lead?
And what is its name except "Fool"?
22 ¹⁵ Sand, salt, and a piece of iron
are easier to bear than a stupid man.

22 ¹⁶ A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building will not be torn loose by an earthquake;
so the mind firmly fixed on a reasonable counsel will not be afraid in a crisis.
22 ¹⁷ A mind settled on an intelligent thought
is like the stucco decoration on the wall of a colonnade.
22 ¹⁸ Fences set on a high place will not stand firm against the wind;
so a timid heart with a fool's purpose will not stand firm against any fear.