You’ll get more from the rebuke of a sage
Than from the song and dance of fools.

The giggles of fools are like the crackling of twigs
Under the cooking pot. And like smoke.

Brutality stupefies even the wise
And destroys the strongest heart.

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It is better to heed the rebuke(A) of a wise person
    than to listen to the song of fools.
Like the crackling of thorns(B) under the pot,
    so is the laughter(C) of fools.
    This too is meaningless.

Extortion turns a wise person into a fool,
    and a bribe(D) corrupts the heart.

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