- 1An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
- 2A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
- 3When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
- 4The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
- 5To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
- 6A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
- 7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
- 8The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
- 9One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
- 10The Lord’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
- 11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
- 12Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
- 13He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
- 14A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
- 15The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
- 16A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
- 17He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
- 18The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
- 19A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
- 20A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
- 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
- 22Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the Lord.
- 23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
- 24A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.