6:30 People 1 do not despise a thief when he steals
to fulfill his need 2 when he is hungry.
23:9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, 3
for he will despise the wisdom of your words. 4
23:22 Listen to your father who begot you,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
1 tn Heb “they do not despise.”
2 tn Heb “himself” or “his life.” Since the word נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, traditionally “soul”) refers to the whole person, body and soul, and since it has a basic idea of the bundle of appetites that make up a person, the use here for satisfying his hunger is appropriate.
3 sn The mention of “the ears” emphasizes the concerted effort to get the person’s undivided attention. However, a fool rejects instruction and discipline.
4 sn Saying number nine indicates that wisdom is wasted on a fool. The literature of Egypt has no specific parallel to this one.