Proverbs 18

¹Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire ; he breaks out against all sound judgment .

²A fool takes no pleasure in understanding , but only in expressing his opinion .

³When wickedness comes , contempt comes also , and with dishonor comes disgrace .

⁴The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters ; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook .

⁵It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice .

⁶A fool’s lips walk into a fight , and his mouth invites a beating .

⁷A fool’s mouth is his ruin , and his lips are a snare to his soul .

⁸The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels ; they go down into the inner parts of the body .

⁹Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys .

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower ; the righteous man runs into it and is safe .

¹¹A rich man’s wealth is his strong city , and like a high wall in his imagination .

¹²Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty , but humility comes before honor .

¹³If one gives an answer before he hears , it is his folly and shame .

¹⁴A man’s spirit will endure sickness , but a crushed spirit who can bear ?

¹⁵An intelligent heart acquires knowledge , and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge .

¹⁶A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great .

¹⁷The one who states his case first seems right , until the other comes and examines him.

¹⁸The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders .

¹⁹A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city , and quarreling is like the bars of a castle .

²⁰From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied ; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips .

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue , and those who love it will eat its fruits .

²²He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

²³The poor use entreaties , but the rich answer roughly .

²⁴A man of many companions may come to ruin , but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother .