1. If a man does not send forth people to wail for him,
And no one grieves for him or shows him sympathy,

2. Then death is better for the youth than his life,
As a pauper with stinging scorpions for his kin.

3. "Where are you going?" they ask, and "Where are you headed?"
Who asks a vagabond where are his haunts?

4. His haunts are that the wilderness is spacious
When his own people are stingy towards him with deeds.

5. So I will not forsake the brothers as long as I live,
Just as water never forsakes the one who drinks it.

6. And time is not to be blamed for flowing on,
Just as I do not see the scorpion's sting against a friend at night.

7. And if a wind makes my neighbor's house lean over,
I pretend not to notice until the house hides its side.