27 ⁴ When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains;
so a man's filth remains in his thoughts.
27 ⁵ The kiln tests the potter's vessels;
so the test of a man is in his reasoning.
27 ⁶ The fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree;
so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation of a man's mind.
27 ⁷ Do not praise a man before you hear him reason,
for this is the test of men.