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Four Recommendations[a]

Chapter 6

Do Not Take on Impossible Tasks[b]

My son, if you have guaranteed the debt of your neighbor
    or the bond of a stranger,
you have been trapped by the utterance of your lips,
    ensnared by the words of your mouth.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 6:1 Every civilization has maxims based on observation of life. Here are some of them—very ancient morsels mislaid in this prologue that they interrupt.
  2. Proverbs 6:1 People are to preserve with prudence the fruit of their work and not undertake impossible tasks. This is a popular and cautious wisdom that is found under all skies. For example, a guarantor is exhorted to urge the debtor to make payment, since otherwise he, the guarantor, will have to pay.