Proverbs 18

¹Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

²A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

³When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

⁴The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

⁵It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

⁶A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

⁷A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

⁸The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

⁹He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

¹¹The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

¹²Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

¹³He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

¹⁴The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

¹⁵The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

¹⁶A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

¹⁷He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²²Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

²³The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

²⁴A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.