4. “Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” Do not trouble thyself with restless and tiresome labors to get a great estate: be not too thoughtfull, nor let thy cares be endless, about such matters; much less use any ill contrivances, which they may suggest to thee: no, nor depend so much upon thy own prudent management for the success of thy honest undertakings, as upon God’s blessing.
23. “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Spare no cost nor pains to acquire the knowledge of what is true and false, good and bad; and do not think there is anything of equal price unto it: and therefore neglect not the study of it, though it were to get never so much money, or the highest honors; but prefer wisedom and vertue, and the means that instruct thee how to attain it, and to make thee able to doe good to others.
24-25. “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.” Let not thy Father and Mother want this singular pleasure; but by thy well-doing fill the heart of her that bare thee with joy and triumph: who for all the pains and care she hath had in thy birth and about thy education, desires no other requital [repayment].