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37:1  Every friend can say, “I too am your friend,” but some are friends in name only.
37:2  Is it not a sorrow comparable to that of death when a dear friend turns into an enemy?
37:3  O inclination to evil, why were you created to blanket the earth with deceit?
37:4  A false friend will rejoice in your prosperity but turn against you when misfortune strikes.
37:5  A good friend will help you for his stomach’s sake but will serve as your shield-bearer against your enemies.
37:6  Do not forget your friend in your heart, and remember him in your prosperity.
37:7  All counselors praise the advice they offer, but some provide counsel with their own interests in mind.
37:8  Be wary of one who offers advice; find out first what his interest is. For he may be thinking only of his own best interests, and his advice may not be to your advantage.
37:9  He may tell you how good your way will be and then stand aside to see what happens to you.
37:10  Do not consult anyone who regards you with suspicion or reveal your plans to those who are jealous of you.
37:11  Never consult with a woman about her rival or with a coward about war, with a merchant about business or with a buyer about selling, with a miser about generosity or with a cruel person about goodness of heart, with an idler about any kind of work or with a casual worker about completing the job, with a lazy servant about a large undertaking: do not depend on these for any counsel.
37:12  Rather, associate with a devout person whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, who is of one mind with you and who will sympathize with you if you fall.
37:13  In addition, trust your own judgment, for you have no counselor more reliable for you.
37:14  Your own conscience will sometimes give you a more accurate warning than seven watchmen stationed on a high tower.
37:15  But above all, pray to the Most High, asking that he direct your steps on the path of truth.
37:16  Reason should precede every work, and deliberation should come before every undertaking.
37:17  Thoughts are rooted in the heart, which sprouts forth four branches:
37:18  good and evil, life and death, and their mistress is always the tongue.
37:19  One man may be clever enough to teach many and yet be useless to himself.
37:20  Another may be a brilliant speaker and be detested, then end up by starving to death,
37:21  if the Lord has withheld grace and charm by depriving him of wisdom.
37:22  When one is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are seen in his own person.
37:23  When one is wise to his people’s advantage, the fruits of his knowledge will be enduring.
37:24  One who is truly wise has praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him blessed.
37:25  The days of a man’s life are numbered, but the days of Israel are without number.
37:26  One who is truly wise will gain the confidence of his people, and his name will endure forever.
37:27  My child, test yourself throughout your life; determine what is bad for you and do not indulge in it.
37:28  For not everything is good for everyone, nor do we all enjoy the same things.
37:29  Do not go to excess with any enjoyment, and do not be greedy for food.
37:30  For overeating leads to illness, and gluttony brings on nausea.
37:31  Many have died as a result of gluttony, but one who guards against it prolongs his life.