Chapter 17

Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices [with] strife.

A wise⁵⁶ servant shall have rule⁴ over a son that causeth shame,⁵⁶ and shall have part⁴ of the inheritance among the brethren.

The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth⁶ the hearts.

A wicked doer⁵⁶ giveth heed⁵⁶ to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear⁵⁶ to a naughty tongue.

Whoso mocketh⁶ the poor⁶ reproacheth¹⁴ his Maker:⁶ [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.¹¹

Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers.

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth,⁴ it prospereth.⁵⁵

He that covereth¹⁸ a transgression seeketh¹⁸ love; but he that repeateth⁶ a matter separateth⁵⁶ [very] friends.

A reproof entereth⁴ more into a wise man⁵⁶ than an hundred stripes⁵³ into a fool.

An evil [man] seeketh¹⁷ only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent²⁹ against him.

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet² a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Whoso rewardeth⁵⁶ evil for good, evil shall not depart^{4 4185 55} from his house.

The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out⁶ water: therefore leave off² contention, before it be meddled⁹⁸ with.

He that justifieth⁵⁶ the wicked, and he that condemneth⁵⁶ the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get² wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?

A friend loveth⁶ at all times, and a brother is born¹¹ for adversity.

A man void of understanding striketh⁶ hands, [and] becometh⁶ surety in the presence of his friend.

He loveth⁶ transgression that loveth⁶ strife: [and] he that exalteth⁵⁶ his gate seeketh¹⁸ destruction.

He that hath a froward heart findeth⁴ no good: and he that hath a perverse⁸ tongue falleth⁴ into mischief.

He that begetteth⁶ a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.⁴

A merry heart doeth good⁵⁵ [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth¹⁷ the bones.

A wicked [man] taketh⁴ a gift out of the bosom to pervert⁵³ the ways of judgment.

Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding;⁵⁶ but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth.

A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare⁶ him.

Also to punish² the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike⁵³ princes for equity.

He that hath⁶ knowledge spareth⁶ his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent ⁷¹¹⁹ spirit.

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace,⁵⁶ is counted¹¹ wise: [and] he that shutteth⁵ his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.¹²