Proverbs 27:16-27

¹⁶He that would conceal her might conceal the wind, and as fragrant oil on his right hand, which would betray itself.

¹⁷Iron is sharpened by iron: so doth a man sharpen himself on the countenance of his friend.

¹⁸Whoso guardeth the fig-tree will eat its fruit: so he that watcheth over his master will be honored.

¹⁹As the water showeth to the face the reflected face: so doth the heart of man show itself to man.

²⁰The nether world and the place of corruption are never satisfied: so are the eyes of man never satisfied.

²¹As the fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: so is a man proved according to his praise.

²²Though thou shouldst pound the fool in a mortar, in the midst of grains of wheat with a pestle: still would his folly not depart from him.

²³Endeavor to know well the appearance of thy flocks, direct thy attention to thy herds;

²⁴For property endureth not for ever, nor doth the crown remain for all generations.

²⁵When the grass is past, young verdure showeth itself, and then are gathered the herbs of the mountains.

²⁶The sheep are for thy clothing, and he-goats are the purchase-price of a field.

²⁷And thou wilt have enough of goats' milk for thy food, for the food of thy household, and the support for thy maidens.