Though the face of the steersman is forward, the boat drifts as it pleases.Though the king is in the palace,though the rudder is in your hand,wrong is done around you.Long is my plea, heavy my task,“What is the matter with him ?“ people ask.Be a shelter, make safe your shore,See how your quay is infested with crocodiles!Straighten your tongue, let it not stray,A serpent is this limb of man.Don’t tell lies, warn the magistrates,Greasy baskets are the judges.

When you walk behind officials,Follow at a proper distance.When you enter a man's house.And he’s busy with someone before you,Sit with your hand over your mouth.Do not ask him for anything,Only do as he tells you,Beware of rushing to the tableBe weighty and very dignified,Do not speak of secret things,Who hides his thought shields himself.Do not say things recklessly,When you sit with one who’s hostile.

Do not tell lies against your mother,the magistrates abhor it.The descendant who does what is good.His actions all emulate the past.Do not consort with a rowdy.It harms you when one hears of it.If you have eaten three loaves, drunk two jugs of beer, and the belly is not sated, restrain it!When another eats, don't stand there, beware of rushing to the table!

Telling lies is their herbage.