Proverbs 17

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

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.⋮

3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.⋮

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.⋮

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.⋮

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.⋮

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

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.⋮

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.⋮

10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.⋮

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.⋮

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

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.⋮

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.⋮

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.⋮

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?⋮

17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.⋮

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.⋮

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.⋮

20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.⋮

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.⋮

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.⋮

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.⋮

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.⋮

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.⋮

26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.⋮

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.⋮

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.⋮