1Better is a dry morsel , and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife . 2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame , and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren . 3The fining pot is for silver , and the furnace for gold : but the LORD trieth the hearts . 4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips ; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue . 5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker : and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished . 6Children’s children are the crown of old men ; and the glory of children are their fathers . 7Excellent speech becometh not a fool : much less do lying lips a prince . 8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth , it prospereth . 9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love ; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends .
The Nature of Speech
10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool . 11An evil man seeketh only rebellion : therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man , rather than a fool in his folly . 13Whoso rewardeth evil for good , evil shall not depart from his house . 14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water : therefore leave off contention , before it be meddled with.
The Consequences of Foolishness
15He that justifieth the wicked , and he that condemneth the just , even they both are abomination to the LORD . 16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom , seeing he hath no heart to it ? 17A friend loveth at all times , and a brother is born for adversity . 18A man void of understanding striketh hands , and becometh surety in the presence of his friend . 19He loveth transgression that loveth strife : and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction . 20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good : and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief .
The Value of Friendship
21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow : and the father of a fool hath no joy . 22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine : but a broken spirit drieth the bones . 23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment . 24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding ; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth . 25A foolish son is a grief to his father , and bitterness to her that bare him. 26Also to punish the just is not good , nor to strike princes for equity . 27He that hath knowledge spareth his words : and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit . 28Even a fool , when he holdeth his peace , is counted wise : and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding .