en_tn/ecc/12/11.md

# The words of wise people ... taught by one shepherd

The writer speaks of the teacher who uses his words to instruct people as if the teacher were a shepherd who uses his tools to lead his flock. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# The words of wise people are like goads

This is a simile. Alternate translation: "Wise people encourage people to act, like a sharp stick encourages an animal to move" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

# Like nails driven deeply are the words of the masters in collections of their proverbs

This is a simile. Alternate translation: "Like you can depend on a nail that a person drives firmly into a piece of wood, so you can depend on the words of the masters in collections of their proverbs" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

# the words of the masters in collections of their proverbs

"the wise words collected in their proverbs" or "the sayings of the wise"

# which are taught by one shepherd

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "which one shepherd teaches" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])