XLI.

207 Make not to be a friend of thine the hasty, hot-headed man,

208 Even though thou hast to go to his house frequently to have speech with him.

XLII.

209 Keep well thy tongue in making an answer to him that is thy chief,

210 At the same time guarding thyself against reviling him.

211 Never permit his speech to fall on thee like a lasso

212 So that thou must uncoil it by means of thy answer.

213 Put questions to him (consult with him), answering like a subordinate in thy agitation.

214 At the same time taking good heed not to oppose him.

XLIII.

215 The word that is uttered by a man with malicious intent is swifter to hurt

216 Than the wind that precedes the storm.

217 This man casts to the ground, this man builds up with his tongue,

218 He gives utterance to strings of words that carry destruction in them.

219 This man makes an answer that merits a beating.

220 For the burden (object) thereof is to do harm.

221 He traffics by means of a boat after the manner of other folk.

222 He loads the boat with the discourse of iniquity,

223 He makes himself the ferryman of him that catches (men) in a net of words.

224 Whether he is going away or whether he is coming back, he continues to chatter (gossip).

225 Whether he is eating or whether he is drinking, even in his own house,

226 His conversation returns to matters that are outside (that have nothing to do with him).

227 The Day itself stands up and makes an accusation against his abominable deeds,

228 His sons and daughter cry out "Woe" to themselves.

229 [GOD the Fashioner] makes a process (brings a case) against him.

230 He is of the potter's wheel of (worked by) the devil Tar.

231 He mixes together and kneads (material) to destroy the hearts (minds of men) therewith.

232 He is like a whelp of (one of) the dogs (literally, wolves) of the stable (farm-yard)

233 With his eye fixed jealously on (the movements of) his companions.

234 He causes men and women to become enemies by his scandal-mongering.

235 He goes before every wind like the blast that goes before the habub (the sand-storm or whirlwind of the desert).

236 He destroys the hair (skin) of Shu [the sky].

237 He gathers his tail (bends it round) about him like the young crocodile,

238 Bringing it close to him ready for the deadly sweep.

239 His lips are date-syrup, his tongue is a deadly dagger.

240 A consuming fire blazes within his belly.

241 Make no flights (attempts) to fill (please) that fellow,

242 Lest thou bring calamity upon thyself.