The theme of cautious carefulness continues. Although some commentators are quite scornful of the idea, several translations suggest that Solomon is speaking here of spreading the risk when investing hard-earned money, and possibly time.

Again, Solomon appears to be speaking to those who have achieved some success in their lives and now have savings or capital to invest or manpower to direct. Spreading or dividing risk over seven or eight ventures or businesses is very sound advice, regarded by many as the number one rule of investing, closely followed by the need to cut short losses quickly and ride winners.

Merchants in ancient times would band together to finance and fit out ships being sent forth upon the waters to distant places, hoping that after many days they would return laden with valuable goods, exotic perfumes, rare spices, and the like. As is the case today when investing in small blue-sky companies, this was a risky business because sometimes everything might be lost in a storm and become a total loss, a disaster. On the other hand, the successful ventures could repay the investors’ capital many times over.

Although entrepreneurs are often described as risk takers, the more successful are very careful to limit the potential downside rather than gamble what they have worked long and hard to accumulate. Perhaps that is Solomon’s message – spread risk, don’t rely on any one large customer -- diversify your service and product range.

Fundamental to the whole situation, of course, is the crucial importance of budgeting both time and money -- and the need to save both and invest them wisely in the interest of future security and development.