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He alone is aware who has wandered wide, And far abroad has fared, How great a mind is guided by him That wealth of wisdom has.

Shun not the mead, but drink in measure; Speak to the point or be still; For rudeness none shall rightly blame thee If soon thy bed thou seekest.

The greedy man, if his mind be vague, Will eat till sick he is; The vulgar man, when among the wise, To scorn by his belly is brought.

The herds know well when home they shall fare, And then from the grass they go; But the foolish man his belly's measure Shall never know aright.

A paltry man and poor of mind At all things ever mocks; For never he knows, what he ought to know, That he is not free from faults.

The witless man is awake all night, Thinking of many things; Care-worn he is when the morning comes, And his woe is just as it was.

The foolish man for friends all those Who laugh at him will hold;