Proverbs 17
1BETTER is a morsel with pleasure in peace; than a house full of goods and ill gotten dainties, with contention.
2A wise servant will rule over foolish masters; and divide portions among brothers.
3As silver and gold are tried in a furnace; so are chosen hearts, by the Lord.
4A wicked man hearkeneth to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man payeth no attention to lying lips.
5He who derideth a man in distress provoketh his Maker; and he who rejoiceth at another’s ruin shall not go unpunished: but he who sheweth compassion shall find mercy.
6Children’s children are the crown of old men: and the boast of children is their fathers.
Every ornament of wealth belongeth to the faithful; but to the unfaithful, not a farthing.
7Faithful lips will not harmonize with a fool; nor lying lips with a righteous man.
8Instruction is a precious reward to them who use it: and whithersoever it turneth it will prosper.
9He who hideth transgressions seeketh friendship: but he who hateth to conceal, setteth friends and relations at variance.
10A threat affecteth the heart of the prudent: but a fool, though scourged, is not made sensible.
11Every wicked man stirreth up contention: but the Lord will send him a cruel messenger.
12Trouble may befall a prudent man: but the foolish will devise mischief.
13Whosoever returneth evil for good; from his house evils shall not depart.
14A righteous government giveth force to words: but sedition and quarrelling are the forerunners of want.
15He who acquitteth the wicked and condemneth the just, is unclean and abominable in the sight of God.
16Why should a fool have wealth? For the stupid cannot purchase wisdom.
He who buildeth his house high seeketh destruction: and he who is backward to learn shall fall into evils.
17For every occasion have a friend; but in distress let brothers be assistant: for they are born for this purpose.
18A man void of understanding clappeth his hands and applaudeth himself on becoming surety for his friends.
19He who is fond of sinning delighteth in quarrels:
20but he who is stubborn doth not meet with good. A man of a changeable tongue will fall into evils: but the heart of a fool is sorrow to him who hath it.
21A father hath no joy in an unteachable son: but a prudent son is the joy of his mother.
22A cheerful heart promoteth health; but the bones of a heart-wounded man are dried up.
23When one unrighteously receiveth gifts in his bosom; his ways will not be straight. But a wicked man perverteth the ways of justice.
24The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the fool’s eyes are on the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a vexation to a father; and sorrow to her who bore him.
26To fine a righteous man is not good: nor is it consistent with piety to plot against righteous rulers.
27He who forbeareth to utter a harsh word is prudent: and he who is slow to anger is a man of understanding.
28Wisdom will be imputed to a fool who inquireth after wisdom: and he who imposeth silence on himself will be esteemed wise.