1. The wise woman spoke,
Giving sincere advice.

2. You've amazed me,
With all your knowledge and refinement.

3. But I say,
We have no mind,

4. That befriends rulers,
Or knows true brothers.

5. Shun mankind,
Seeing all as wild beasts.

6. What comfort in seclusion!
What work in leisure!

7. What abundance in solitude!
What wakefulness in sleep!

8. What weakness from power!
What hunger from satiety!

9. What thirst from drink!
What mute silence from speech!

10. What weariness from rest!
Swimming itself can drown.

11. What misery from joy!
What kinship from estrangement!

12. What blessing from curse!
What curse from blessing!

13. What harshness from gentleness!
What humiliation from honor!

14. What sickness from health!
What sadness from happiness!

15. Wine breaks fasts
In grapes' rapture.

16. While parting's anguish
Comes from union's joy.

17. What grief comes from weddings!
What loneliness from company!

18. Hope fools the ignorant.
Wisdom fails the cunning.

19. Is hypocrisy fertile?
Every womb miscarries.

20. Is loyalty barren?
Every friend betrays.

21. Kings have no companion
Whose face is radiant.