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 Lordis 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.