Chapter Seventeen Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith than a house full
of sacrifices with strife.
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of
the inheritance among the brethren.
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the Lord trieth the
hearts.
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips, and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his maker, and he that is glad at calamities
shall not be unpunished.
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, it prospereth.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love, but he that repeateth the matter
separateth very friends.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than in hundred stripes into a fool.
An evil man seeketh only rebellion, therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent
against him.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water, therefore leave off
contention before it be meddled with.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just,
even they both are abomination to the Lord.
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no
heart to it?
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence
of his friend.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife, and he that exalteth his gate
seeketh destruction.
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good, and he that hath a perverse tongue
falleth into mischief.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow, and the father of a fool hath no
joy.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dryeth the bones.
A wicked man taketh the gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding, 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 bear him.
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words, and a man of understanding is of an
excellent spirit.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise, and he that shutteth his
lips is esteemed a man of understanding.