Proverbs 18:9-Proverbs 19:12 - How To Avoid Fools And Foolishness
9 The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.
11 The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens -- that is his folly and his shame.
14 A person's spirit sustains him through sickness -- but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge.
16 A person's gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people.
17 The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
18 A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents.
19 A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.
20 From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied, with the product of his lips is he satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
22 The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable, and receives a pleasurable gift from the Lord.
23 A poor person makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly.
24 A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool.
2 It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices.
3 A person's folly subverts his way, and his heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and the one who spouts out lies will not escape punishment.
6 Many people entreat the favor of a generous person, and everyone is the friend of the person who gives gifts.
7 All the relatives of a poor person hate him; how much more do his friends avoid him -- he pursues them with words, but they do not respond.
8 The one who acquires wisdom loves himself; the one who preserves understanding will prosper.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and the one who spouts out lies will perish.
10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool; how much less for a servant to rule over princes!
11 A person's wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.