LESSON 1: A wise man understands that jealousy is more dangerous than anger and dishonesty. A wise man knows that an open rebuke is better than a secret love, that others praising him genuinely is better than him praising himself arrogantly. He acknowledges that the wound from a sincere friend is better than many kisses from an enemy. A wise man is sincere and his heart is open.

LESSON 2: A wise man gives his enemy food to eat when he is hungry, and he gives him water to drink when he is thirsty. In doing this he puts coal of shame on his head. A wise man makes his enemy weak and defenseless by helping him when he is in trouble. He does not think of revenge because his thoughts are directed towards greater things.

LESSON 3: A wise man does not have confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble because it is like chewing on a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. A person that has proven to be unreliable in simple circumstances would never be reliable in turbulent situations. Watch out, and be wise.

LESSON 4: A wise man does not visit his neighbor too much or it would wear out a welcome and his visit would not become valuable. Familiarity breeds contempt. Too much familiarity without meaningful purpose makes one unserious and it’s better done once in a while than often to retain respect and honor.

LESSON 5: A wise man never betrays another person secret when arguing with his neighbor? A wise man is unlike a fool that spits out all the secrets that his friend told him in confidential as a result of anger. He is calm when angry and he prefers to walk out than to speak out.

LESSON 6: A wise man is just like an ant; provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. A wise man plans when he is young and agile so that when he is old and weary he wouldn’t go around begging for what to eat.

LESSON 7: A wise man does not withhold good from those who deserve it when he has the power to help them. He would not say come back tomorrow when he has it today. A wise man helps the poor so that he can receive more from his maker (GOD).

LESSON 8: A wise man is a righteous man. The way of the righteous man is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of the day, while the way of the fool is like total darkness because they have no idea of where they are going to. Which are you?

— Copyright © 2013 Seun Emmanuel Alaofin.