Distrust the person who offers advise, lest he takes advantage of you; first of all, ask yourself what he lacks, and what his own interest suggests to him. Perhaps he says to you, “You are on the right road,” while he keeps his distance, to see what happens to you.

Do not seek advice from one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your plans from those who envy you.

Do not consult a woman about her rival, or a coward about war, or a merchant about exchange rates, or a buyer about selling, or a jealous man about gratitude, or a selfish person about generosity, or an idler about any kind of work, or a casual worker about finishing a job, or a lazy servant about an important task. Do not rely on these people for any advice.

But go to a trustworthy man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments and whose soul reflects your own and who will suffer with you if you fail.

In the end, keep your own heart’s advice, since no one deserves to be trusted more than your heart. For a man’s soul often gives better advice than seven watchmen placed on a height. Besides all this, implore the Almighty to guide your steps in the truth.

A plan must be at the beginning of all work; reflection comes before every action. When you decide, four ways are open before you: good, evil, life and death. Your own decision makes the choice. (Sirach 37:7-18).