Judaism
Proverbs 28
Text
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are secure as a young lion.
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by a man of understanding and knowledge established order shall long continue.
A poor man that oppresseth the weak Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.
Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
A wise son observeth the teaching; But he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.
He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the whole-hearted shall inherit good.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him through.
When the righteous exult, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men must be sought for.
He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
As a roaring lion, and a ravenous bear; So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall hasten his steps unto the pit; none will support him.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved; But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain things shall have poverty enough.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
To have respect of persons is not good; For a man will transgress for a piece of bread.
He that hath an evil eye hasteneth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
He that rebuketh a man shall in the end find more favour Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith: ‘It is no transgression’, The same is the companion of a destroyer.
He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be abundantly gratified.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall escape.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Text: The Holy Scriptures, Jewish Publication Society (1917), public domain, via Sefaria.
✦ Connected Across Traditions
Divine Compassion & Mercy
Quran 1:1
“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.”
Luke 6:36
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Snp 1.8 (trans. Bhikkhu Sujato)
“Even as a mother would protect with her life her child, her only child, so too for all creatures unfold a boundless heart.”
Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1
“ik oankaar sat naam: one Creator, whose Name is Truth, beyond fear and enmity.”
Impermanence & Letting Go
Dhammapada 20:277 (trans. F. Max Müller)
“‘All created things perish,’ he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain; this is the way to purity.”
Tao Te Ching 76 (trans. James Legge)
“Man at his birth is supple and weak; at his death, firm and strong. (So it is with) all things. Trees and plants, in their early growth, are soft and brittle; at their death, dry and withered.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2 (trans. Edwin Arnold)
“Nay, but as when one layeth His worn-out robes away, And taking new ones, sayeth, "These will I wear to-day!" So putteth by the spirit Lightly its garb of flesh, And passeth to inherit A residence afresh.”
The Path to Wisdom
Dhammapada 20:282 (trans. Bhikkhu Sujato)
“From meditation springs wisdom, without meditation, wisdom ends.”
Analects 2:11 (trans. James Legge)
“If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge, so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others.”
Tao Te Ching 33 (trans. James Legge)
“He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent.”
Quran 39:9
“Are those who know equal with those who know not?”
Good vs Evil / Light vs Darkness
Yasna 30:3
“Now the two primal Spirits, who reveal themselves as Twins, are the Better and the Bad, in thought and word and action.”
John 1:5
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
Dhammapada 2 (trans. Bhikkhu Sujato)
“Intention is the leader of things; intention is first, they’re made by intention. If with pure intent you speak or act, happiness follows you like a shadow that never leaves.”
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 16 (trans. Edwin Arnold)
“The Doors of Hell Are threefold, whereby men to ruin pass, The door of Lust, the door of Wrath, the door Of Avarice. Let a man shun those three!”