A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

Folly is joy to him who lacks sense,
But a man of understanding walks straight.

A man has joy in an apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely word!

The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.

The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

The path of life leads upward for the wise
That he may keep away from Sheol below.

The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.

He who profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.

Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
But pleasant words are pure.

He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise.

Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they succeed.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Bright eyes gladden the heart;
Good news puts fat on the bones.

All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.

He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

The Lord will tear down the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord,
How much more the hearts of men!

The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.

Great wealth is in the house of the righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.