XLIX.

257 Hanker not greedily after the things of the man whose food is dainty and spiced,

258 Though thou art hungry for his bread.

259 Now the food that is dainty and spiced is as a storm in the gullet (turns the stomach),

260 And it makes the bowels to eject it.

261 It turns the man who is a counsellor into a man of iniquity,

262 And his sense turns itself away from his body.

263 Inasmuch as the evil nature (base appetite) corrupts (his) disposition for well-doing,

264 The evil (in him) destroys what is good.

L.

265 Be thou a creature of nought in the presence of thy chief (superior officer).

266 Thou shalt acclaim him humbly in thy speech (conversation).

267 Thy adulatory remarks, they shall meet and turn aside his cursings.

268 Thy [courtesy] when [greeting him] (shall disarm his) violence.

LI.

269 When thou hast swallowed the mouthful of bread of a great man thou shalt vomit it,

270 And thou shalt be empty of thy good thing (dainty).

LII.

271 Make thyself to understand (see) the foresight of the glutton.

272 He himself gathers together staves (for the hunting nets).

273 Every one of his servants is a beater for the hunting traps,

274 And a strong man smites (kills) in the slaughter-house.

LIII.

275 If thou art undone (vanquished) in the presence of thy chief

276 It will be a disgrace for thy subordinates (servants).

277 Steer thou thy course away from the glutton forthwith;

278 Observe him, at the same time avoiding the things (which he offers thee).