Proverbs 18

¹ Whoever isolates himself pursues his own desire;
he quarrels against all sound judgment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

¹⁷ The one who pleads his case first seems right,
until his neighbor comes and examines him.

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

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

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

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

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

²³ The poor uses entreaties,
but the rich answers roughly.

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