Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away. | Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother. |
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. | A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it. |
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As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. | Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance. |
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. | Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. |