1He who separates himself seeks
his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
2A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.
3When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes,
And with dishonorcomes scorn.
4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5To show partiality to the wicked is not good,
Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.
6A fool’s lips bring strife,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
9He also who is slack in his work
Is brother to him who destroys.
10The name of the L is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe.
11A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
But humilitygoes before honor.
13He who gives an answer before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him.
14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
Butas for a broken spirit who can bear it?
15The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16A man’s gift makes room for him
And brings him before great men.
17The first to plead his caseseems right,
Until another comes and examines him.
18Thecast lot puts an end to strife
And decides between the mighty ones.
19A brother offendedis harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
20With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
He will be satisfiedwith the product of his lips.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22He who finds a wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor from the L.
23The poor man utters supplications,
But the rich man answers roughly.
24A man oftoo many friendscomes to ruin,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
