Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. | Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your father, and do not run to your brother’s house when troubles befall you; far better is a friend nearby than a brother who is far away. |
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. | The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. |
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Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. |
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. | Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. |