Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep
Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober
The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods
The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need
Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it
Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty
Gold is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice for it. Woe to those who pursue it eagerly, for all the imprudent will perish by it
Blessed is the rich man who is found to be without blemish. And blessed is he who has not gone after gold, nor placed his hope in money or treasures
Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life
He has been tested by it, and has become perfect; he will have eternal glory. He was able to transgress, but he has not transgressed. He was able to do evil, but he has not done evil
Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving
Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first
You should not speak in this way: “There are many things that are upon it.
Remember that a wicked eye is evil
What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face
You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed
You should not press forward at a feast
Understand which things are your neighbor’s and not your own
Make use of the things that are set before you, just as a frugal man would. Otherwise, if you eat much, you will be hated
Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend
And if you sit in the midst of many, you should not extend your hand before they do, and you should not be the first to ask for a drink
How sufficient is a little wine for a well-taught man! For in sleep, you will not labor because of it, and you will not feel pain
Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man
A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him
And if you have been coaxed into eating too much, rise up, go outside, and vomit. And it will refresh you, and you will not bring sickness upon your body
Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words
In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you
The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful
The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true
Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many
Fire tests the hardness of iron; similarly, drinking wine to inebriation will rebuke the hearts of the arrogant
Drinking wine in sobriety gives a contented life to men. If you drink it in moderation, you will be sober
What is life to him who is diminished by wine
What can cheat him of his life? Death
From the beginning, wine was created for cheerfulness, but not for inebriation
Wine taken in moderation lifts up the mind and the heart
Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body
Wine taken in excess stirs up conflict and anger, and brings many to ruin
Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul
The effects of inebriation are a stumbling block to the imprudent, diminishing strength and causing wounds
You should not argue with your neighbor during a banquet of wine. And you should not spurn him in his cheerfulness
You should not speak words of reproach to him. And you should not press him with repeated requests