2. You learn more at a funeral than at a feast—After all, that’s where we’ll end up. We might discoversomething from it.
10. Don’t always be asking, “Where are the good old days?”Wise folks don’t ask questions like that.
13. Take a good look at God’s work.Who could simplify and reduce Creation’s curves and anglesTo a plain straight line?
14. On a good day, enjoy yourself;On a bad day, examine your conscience.God arranges for both kinds of daysSo that we won’t take anything for granted.
18. It’s best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it.
19. Wisdom puts more strength in one wise personThan ten strong men give to a city.
20. There’s not one totally good person on earth,Not one who is truly pure and sinless.
21-22. Don’t eavesdrop on the conversation of others.What if the gossip’s about you and you’d rather not hear it?You’ve done that a few times, haven’t you—said thingsBehind someone’s back you wouldn’t say to his face?
23-25. I tested everything in my search for wisdom. I set out to be wise, but it was beyond me, far beyond me, and deep—oh so deep! Does anyone ever find it? I concentrated with all my might, studying and exploring and seeking wisdom—the meaning of life. I also wanted to identify evil and stupidity, foolishness and craziness.