| 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. | Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. |
| The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. | The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. |
| As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. | As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. |
| Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. | As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. |
