Chapter 31

31. Watching for riches consumes the flesh, and the care thereof drives away sleep, for the carefulness of watching will not suffer him to sleep, as a sore disease breaks sleep. The rich man takes labor in gathering, and when he rests, he is filled with his increase, and the poor man takes labor in his life, and in the end he is still needy. He that loves gold shall not be justified, and he that follows after corruption shall have enough, for gold has destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings, and a man may love gold and be rich, and be despised when he has enough, but there is no evil in the life of him that has enough. If you have done good to one that is wicked, he will not remember your good deeds, and he that is liberal of his goods, he will return him good, for if you have a friend, get him not in his sleep, and if you have a gift, give it not in time of sleep. Whatsoever is brought unto thee, take it, and be patient therewith, for many are rich, and are not satisfied, and there is a gift that shall not profit thee. Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thy words in time of eating, for a man that is full of meat is not thirsty, and he that is full of wine is not hungry, and he that is full of meat is not thirsty. Stretch not your hand out to what is set before you, and be not greedy among the guests, for be not angry at what is set before you, and be not hasty to speak, for a man's heart is not satisfied with all things. Be the first to depart for manners' sake, and be not greedy, for the chief thing for life is water, bread, and clothing, and a house to cover shame. When you are set among many, reach not your hand out first of all, and be not greedy, for a man of understanding knows what is good for him, and he that is without understanding will not be satisfied. Say not, I have not eaten, for you shall be despised, and if you have eaten, you shall be put to shame, for the chief thing for life is water, bread, and clothing, and a house to cover shame. Consider not the meat that is set before you, but take that which is good for you; he that is well nourished is temperate in his life, and he that is not nourished is full of trouble. A wicked ear is a great evil, and a wicked tongue is a great trouble; a man of good judgment will be temperate in his life, and he that is not of good judgment will be despised. If you have been forced to eat, and are full, rise up and go out, and ease yourself, and take care of your body, for a man that is full of meat is not hungry, and he that is full of wine is not thirsty. A sound sleeper is satisfied, and he that is not satisfied is sick, for a sound sleeper is satisfied, and he that is not satisfied is sick. If you have been constrained to eat, and are full, rise up and go out, and ease yourself, and you shall find rest.