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Right Attitude towards Riches

31Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one’s flesh,
   and anxiety about it drives away sleep.
² Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber,
   and a severe illness carries off sleep.^*
3 The rich person toils to amass a fortune,
   and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.
⁴ The poor person toils to make a meagre living,
   and if ever he rests he becomes needy.

⁵ One who loves gold will not be justified;
   one who pursues money will be led astray^* by it.
⁶ Many have come to ruin because of gold,
   and their destruction has met them face to face.
⁷ It is a stumbling-block to those who are avid for it,
   and every fool will be taken captive by it.
⁸ Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless,
   and who does not go after gold.
⁹ Who is he, that we may praise him?
   For he has done wonders among his people.
¹⁰ Who has been tested by it and been found perfect?
   Let it be for him a ground for boasting.
Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress,
   and to do evil and did not do it?
¹¹ His prosperity will be established,^*
   and the assembly will proclaim his acts of charity.

Table Etiquette

¹² Are you seated at the table of the great?^*
   Do not be greedy at it,
   and do not say, ‘How much food there is here!’
¹³ Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing.
   What has been created more greedy than the eye?
   Therefore it sheds tears for any reason.
¹⁴ Do not reach out your hand for everything you see,
   and do not crowd your neighbour^* at the dish.
¹⁵ Judge your neighbour’s feelings by your own,
   and in every matter be thoughtful.
¹⁶ Eat what is set before you like a well-bred person,^*
   and do not chew greedily, or you will give offence.
¹⁷ Be the first to stop, as befits good manners,
   and do not be insatiable, or you will give offence.
¹⁸ If you are seated among many others,
   do not help yourself^* before they do.

¹⁹ How ample a little is for a well-disciplined person!
   He does not breathe heavily when in bed.
²⁰ Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating;
   he rises early, and feels fit.
The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea
   and colic are with the glutton.
²¹ If you are overstuffed with food,
   get up to vomit, and you will have relief.
²² Listen to me, my child, and do not disregard me,
   and in the end you will appreciate my words.
In everything you do be moderate,^*
   and no sickness will overtake you.
²³ People bless someone who is liberal with food,
   and their testimony to his generosity is trustworthy.
²⁴ The city complains of someone who is stingy with food,
   and their testimony to his stinginess is accurate.

Temperance in Drinking Wine

²⁵ Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking,
   for wine has destroyed many.
²⁶ As the furnace tests the work of the smith,^*
   so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.
²⁷ Wine is very life to human beings
   if taken in moderation.
What is life to one who is without wine?
   It has been created to make people happy.
²⁸ Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation
   is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.
²⁹ Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit,
   to quarrels and stumbling.
³⁰ Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his own hurt,
   reducing his strength and adding wounds.
³¹ Do not reprove your neighbour at a banquet of wine,
   and do not despise him in his merrymaking;
speak no word of reproach to him,
   and do not distress him by making demands of him.