Proverbs 18

Loners who care only for themselves
    spit on the common good.

Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
    they lash out at common sense.

Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse;
    all they do is run off at the mouth.

Fools have no interest in understanding;
    they only want to air their own opinions.

When wickedness arrives, shame’s not far behind;
    contempt for life is contemptible.

Doing wrong leads to disgrace,
    and scandalous behavior brings contempt.

Many words rush along like rivers in flood,
    but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.

Wise words are like deep waters;
    wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

It’s not right to go easy on the guilty,
    or come down hard on the innocent.

It is not right to acquit the guilty
    or deny justice to the innocent.

The words of a fool start fights;
    do him a favor and gag him.

Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
    they are asking for a beating.

Fools are undone by their big mouths;
    their souls are crushed by their words.

The mouths of fools are their ruin;
    they trap themselves with their lips.

Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy;
    do you really want junk like that in your belly?

Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.

Slack habits and sloppy work
    are as bad as vandalism.

A lazy person is as bad as
    someone who destroys things.

God’s name is a place of protection—
    good people can run there and be safe.

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
    the godly run to him and are safe.

The rich think their wealth protects them;
    they imagine themselves safe behind it.

The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense;
    they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.

Pride first, then the crash,
    but humility is precursor to honor.

Haughtiness goes before destruction;
    humility precedes honor.

Answering before listening
    is both stupid and rude.

Spouting off before listening to the facts
    is both shameful and foolish.

A healthy spirit conquers adversity,
    but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?

The human spirit can endure a sick body,
    but who can bear a crushed spirit?

Wise men and women are always learning,
    always listening for fresh insights.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
    Their ears are open for knowledge.

A gift gets attention;
    it buys the attention of eminent people.

Giving a gift can open doors;
    it gives access to important people!

The first speech in a court case is always convincing—
    until the cross-examination starts!

The first to speak in court sounds right—
    until the cross-examination begins.

You may have to draw straws
    when faced with a tough decision.

Flipping a coin^[a] can end arguments;
    it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

Do a favor and win a friend forever;
    nothing can untie that bond.

An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
    Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;
    good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.

Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
    the right words bring satisfaction.

Words kill, words give life;
    they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

The tongue can bring death or life;
    those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Find a good spouse, you find a good life—
    and even more: the favor of God!

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
    and he receives favor from the Lord.

The poor speak in soft supplications;
    the rich bark out answers.

The poor plead for mercy;
    the rich answer with insults.

Friends come and friends go,
    but a true friend sticks by you like family.