The book of the wise philosophers (long recension)

And now, they have gathered within it many words of wisdom and good instruction, and choice narratives, like a garden of fragrant flowers, for the one who studies it; and its hearing is light and easy, and it gladdens the heart and gives rest to the mind of the one who reads it. Within it is the remembrance of good, which one finds in it, all one desires. It is the wisdom of the wise and the eloquence of the learned; and it is more precious and more excellent than gold and silver and precious stones. And again, it is more beautiful than the flowers of gardens, which are their adornment. And this garden is a light burden. If you read within it, it will give you all you desire, and it will perfect your mind, and it will delight you, and it will sweeten evil, and it will adorn your tongue with the beauty of wisdom and understanding, and it will give you mind and patience, and it will guide your character to good and choice things, and your speech will be sweet in the ears of those who hear it, and it will direct all your ways. Learn in one month what you could not learn in all your days from the mouth of all the wise enemies, when you rest in peace and tranquility, and it will stand by you in the time of need and in distress. And this is more precious than all treasures, and it surpasses all words. It will serve you by night as by day, and on your journey it will go with you.

The wise man says: A wise man is better than an old servant. Admonition and wisdom elevate a person of noble lineage and bring him to the station of the honorable. They honor him because of his learning. A good Geʿez (language) is like good friends. And this book, its narratives are sweet and it is excellent. Wisdom bestows upon a person understanding and guides him on the path of patience. Wisdom is a friend when it is acquired, and it is dignity in an assembly. Before everything, a person should desire to guard these words. These are: understanding, admonition, purity, wisdom, patience, generosity, and the practice of prayers, and they bring a person to his Creator; he has praise. Again, the discourse of righteousness is far from false oaths, and the burial of people with a bright face, and honoring the guest, and keeping the secret, and doing good deeds. Discourse of the philosophers in presence of the body of Alexander.

In the name of God, the guide to righteousness, and He is the bestower of help. A word from the treasury of the wise. We shall tell from the history of kings and the discourse of the wise and the excellence of conduct.

In the name of God, the merciful and compassionate, and He is our helper and our hope over every deed. We shall begin with the help of God, in the writing of the discourse of the philosophers, who are the wise, called those who spoke in this book, each one of them, so that it may be a benefit for the one who reads it, and for the one who hears it, and acts according to it.