VI

My child! shun all evil and all appearance of evil. Be not given to wrath, since wrath leadeth to murder; nor to jealousy, nor to quarrelsomeness, since the outcome of all these is murder. My child! be not lustful, since lust leadeth to fornication; be not obscene, for from obscenity proceedeth adultery. My child! be not deceitful, because falsehood leadeth to theft; be not mercenary, be not ostentatious, since from all this proceedeth theft. My child! be not a murmurer, since this leadeth to blasphemy; be not insolent or evil-minded, since from all this cometh blasphemy. But be meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth. Be long-suffering and gentle and mild and humble and good, and always beware of the words to which thou lendest thine ear. Be not puffed up with pride and give not thy soul to insolence. Yea, verily, let not thy soul cleave to the proud, but treat the just and the peaceful as thy friends. All things that happen unto thee accept as for thy good, knowing that nothing can befall thee without God. My child! be not the cause of discord, but act as a peacemaker when men are quarreling. Widen not thy hands to receive, and make them not narrow when thou givest. Hesitate not about giving; and