Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.s2 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.s6 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.ss8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.s9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.s10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.s11 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.s19 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.s21 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.s23 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.s28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Proverbs 17

A Whack on the Head of a Fool

1 A meal of bread and water in contented peace is better than a banquet spiced with quarrels.
2 A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child and is honored as one of the family.
3 As silver in a crucible and gold in a pan, so our lives are assayed by God.
4 Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip.
5 Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.
6 Old people are distinguished by grandchildren; children take pride in their parents.
7 We don't expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders.
8 Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted.
9 Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and—good-bye, friend!
10 A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool.
11 Criminals out looking for nothing but trouble won't have to wait long—they'll meet it coming and going!
12 Better to meet a grizzly robbed of her cubs than a fool hellbent on folly.
13 Those who return evil for good will meet their own evil returning.
14 The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.
15 Whitewashing bad people and throwing mud on good people are equally abhorrent to God.
16 What's this? Fools out shopping for wisdom! They wouldn't recognize it if they saw it!

One Who Knows Much Says Little

17 Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
18 It's stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay.
19 The person who courts sin marries trouble; build a wall, invite a burglar.
20 A bad motive can't achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble.
21 Having a fool for a child is misery; it's no fun being the parent of a dolt.
22 A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.
23 The wicked take bribes under the table; they show nothing but contempt for justice.
24 The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here.
25 A surly, stupid child is sheer pain to a father, a bitter pill for a mother to swallow.
26 It's wrong to penalize good behavior, or make good citizens pay for the crimes of others.
27 The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm.
28 Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they're smart.