1 A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.
2 When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive, but stupid people spout nonsense.
3 The Lord sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.
4 Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.
5 It is foolish to ignore what your parents taught you; it is wise to accept their correction.
6 Righteous people keep their wealth, but the wicked lose theirs when hard times come.
7 Knowledge is spread by people who are wise, not by fools.
8 The Lord is pleased when good people pray, but hates the sacrifices that the wicked bring him.
9 The Lord hates the ways of evil people, but loves those who do what is right.
10 If you do what is wrong, you will be severely punished; you will die if you do not let yourself be corrected.
11 Not even the world of the dead can keep the Lord from knowing what is there; how then can we hide our thoughts from God?
12 Conceited people do not like to be corrected; they never ask for advice from those who are wiser.
13 When people are happy, they smile, but when they are sad, they look depressed.
14 Intelligent people want to learn, but stupid people are satisfied with ignorance.
15 The life of the poor is a constant struggle, but happy people always enjoy life.
16 Better to be poor and fear the Lord than to be rich and in trouble.
17 Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate.
18 Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
19 If you are lazy, you will meet difficulty everywhere, but if you are honest, you will have no trouble.
20 Wise children make their fathers happy. Only fools despise their mothers.
21 Stupid people are happy with their foolishness, but the wise will do what is right.
22 Get all the advice you can, and you will succeed; without it you will fail.
23 What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!
24 Wise people walk the road that leads upward to life, not the road that leads downward to death.
25 The Lord will destroy the homes of arrogant men, but he will protect a widow's property.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts, but he is pleased with friendly words.
27 Try to make a profit dishonestly, and you get your family in trouble. Don't take bribes and you will live longer.
28 Good people think before they answer. Evil people have a quick reply, but it causes trouble.
29 When good people pray, the Lord listens, but he ignores those who are evil.
30 Smiling faces make you happy, and good news makes you feel better.
31 If you pay attention when you are corrected, you are wise.
32 If you refuse to learn, you are hurting yourself. If you accept correction, you will become wiser.
33 Reverence for the Lord is an education in itself. You must be humble before you can ever receive honors.
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. 11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. 22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it ! 24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.