1 B etter is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

3 T he refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts.

4 A n evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

5 H e who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 G randchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.

7 E xcellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.

8 A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 H e who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.

11 A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 L et a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.

13 H e who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

14 T he beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

15 H e who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

16 W hy is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?

17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

19 H e who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.

20 H e who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.

21 H e who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23 A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.

24 W isdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him.

26 I t is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

27 H e who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

28 E ven a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.