1. Among the evil traits of men there is tale-bearing;
Whenever a man follows it, his honor is destroyed.

2. And truly a man does not avoid the wrath of his people,
Nor keep ties with his kin if he is not well-guided.

3. I refused the one who did base acts in his reckless youth,
Until age advanced and streaks of white split his hair.

4. So I am not, though I went forth with a small bucket,
A narrow-mouthed waterskin in a choked-up place.