The Jewish Wisdom Database

Be not wise in your own eyes!

The desire of the wise is to learn, and of fools to teach.

Be not a witness against your neighbors without cause!

If the wolf speaks of peace, gather in your flock at once!

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a God-fearing woman is to be praised.

Better to dwell in a corner on the roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a great mansion.

Praise a woman's beauty to her face and she will forgive all your sins!

A word fitly spoken is as apples of gold in a setting of silver.

From a man's words you may know if he likes you or hates you.

A bird you set free you may catch again, but a word that escapes your lips will not return.

Drunk but not of wine---that is a man in his youth.

One who guards his mouth and tongue, guards his soul from tribulations.

If a student crams, his learning diminishes; and if he 'gathers little by little, it shall increase.'

Wealth is fleeting, honor winged, but charity abides.

Who gives to the poor shall not lack.

There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

He who closes his ear against the cry of the poor will himself one day call and not be heard.

It is easier to have children than to raise them.

At five, your son is your master; at ten, your slave; at fifteen, your double; and after that, he is your friend or foe---depending on how you raised him.

False scales are an abomination to the Lord; but a just weight is His delight.

He who reproves men will get more thanks in the end than he who flatters them.

He who overlooks an offense promotes good will; he who repeats a tale separates friends.

Like a bird that strays from her nest is a man who strays from his home.

It is better to be humble with the lowly than to share spoils with the proud.

The senseless man pours contempt on his neighbor; but the intelligent man keeps silent.