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

2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

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

4 A n evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

5 H e who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 C hildren’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.

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

8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

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

10 R ebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

11 A n evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore 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 W hoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

14 T he beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

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

16 W hy is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?

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

18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.

19 H e who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

20 H e who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

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

22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.

24 W isdom is in the sight of him 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 A lso, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.

27 H e who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

28 E ven a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.