The Wellspring of Life

The father passes on a family treasure. For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. He taught me, and said to me: Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. The grandfather's words are clear: Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you.

Two paths are set side by side. The wicked don't sleep unless they do evil. But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over. Growing in wisdom is like sunrise: it gets brighter over time. In the New Testament, Jesus says that whoever follows Him will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

The last section moves from the path to the person. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. The heart is the center of thinking, desiring, and choosing. The mouth, the eyes, and the feet follow it: Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Let your eyes look straight ahead. Make the path of your feet level. Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.