38.  Leaving in the field his arms, let no man go a foot’s length forward; for it is hard to know when on the way a man may need his weapon.

39.  I have never found a man so bountiful, or so hospitable that he refused a present; or of his property so liberal that he scorned a recompense.

40.  Of the property which he has gained no man should suffer need; for the hated oft is spared what for the dear was destined.  Much goes worse than is expected.

41.  With arms and vestments friends should each other gladden, those which are in themselves most sightly.  Givers and requiters are longest friends, if all [else] goes well.[16]

42.  To his friend a man should be a friend, and gifts with gifts requite.  Laughter with laughter men should receive, but leasing with lying.

43.  To his friend a man should be a friend; to him and to his friend; but of his foe no man shall the friend’s friend be.

44.  Know, if thou hast a friend whom thou fully trustest, and from whom thou woulds’t good derive, thou shouldst blend thy mind with his, and gifts exchange, and often go to see him.

45.  If thou hast another, whom thou little trustest, yet wouldst good from him derive, thou shouldst speak him fair, but think craftily, and leasing pay with lying.

46.  But of him yet further, whom thou little trustest, and thou suspectest his affection; before him thou shouldst laugh, and contrary to thy thoughts speak:  requital should the gift resemble.

47.  I was once young, I was journeying alone, and lost my way; rich I thought myself, when I met another.  Man is the joy of man.

48.  Liberal and brave men live best, they seldom cherish sorrow; but a base-minded man dreads everything; the niggardly is uneasy even at gifts.

49.  My garments in a field I gave away to two wooden men:  heroes they seemed to be, when they got cloaks:  exposed to insult is a naked man.

50.  A tree withers that on a hill-top stands; protects it neither bark nor leaves:  such is the man whom no one favours:  why should he live long?

51.  Hotter than fire love for five days burns between false friends; but is quenched when the sixth day comes, and-friendship is all impaired.

52.  Something great is not [always] to be given, praise is often for a trifle bought.  With half a loaf and a tilted vessel I got myself a comrade.

53.  Little are the sand-grains, little the wits, little the minds of [some] men; for all men are not wise alike:  men are everywhere by halves.

54.  Moderately wise should each one be, but never over-wise:  of those men the lives are fairest, who know much well.

55.  Moderately wise should each one be, but never over-wise; for a wise man’s heart is seldom glad, if he is all-wise who owns it.

56.  Moderately wise should each one be, but never over-wise.  His destiny let know no man beforehand; his mind will be freest from’ care.